Printer cartridge with capping seal surrounding orifice surface

ABSTRACT

An inkjet printer cartridge that has a. an orifice plate; and b. a platform surrounding said orifice plate, said platform defining a surface for sealably engaging a cap. By keeping the capping and maintenance separate from the replaceable cartridge, the production cost of the cartridge is reduced. Providing a support platform around the orifice plate that is configured to engage the cap and seal the printhead requires less manufacturing precision than a capping mechanism that directly engages the orifice plate. Production efficiencies from lower precision assembly have particular significance for high volume products.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/102,847 filed Apr. 11, 2005, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 7,258,418,which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/729,150 filedDec. 8, 2003, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 6,948,794, which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/112,774 filed on Jul. 10,1998, now abandoned the entire contents of which are herein incorporatedby reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates substantially to the concept of adisposable camera having instant printing capabilities and inparticular, discloses a printhead re-capping assembly for a digitalcamera system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recently, the concept of a “single use” disposable camera has become anincreasingly popular consumer item. Disposable camera systems presentlyon the market normally include an internal film roll and a simplifiedgearing mechanism for traversing the film roll across an imaging systemincluding a shutter and lensing system. The user, after utilizing asingle film roll returns the camera system to a film development centerfor processing. The film roll is taken out of the camera system andprocessed and the prints returned to the user. The camera system canthen be re-manufactured through the insertion of a new film roll intothe camera system, the replacement of any worn or wearable parts and there-packaging of the camera system in accordance with requirements. Inthis way, the concept of a single use “disposable” camera is provided tothe consumer.

Recently, a camera system has been proposed by the present applicantwhich provides for a handheld camera device having an internal printhead, image sensor and processing means such that images sense by theimage sensing means, are processed by the processing means and adaptedto be instantly printed out by the printing means on demand. Theproposed camera system further discloses a system of internal “printrolls” carrying print media such as film on to which images are to beprinted in addition to ink to supplying the printing means for theprinting process. The print roll is further disclosed to be detachableand replaceable within the camera system.

Unfortunately, such a system is likely to only be constructed at asubstantial cost and it would be desirable to provide for a moreinexpensive form of instant camera system which maintains a substantialnumber of the quality aspects of the aforementioned arrangement.

It would be further advantageous to provide for the effectiveinterconnection of the sub components of a camera system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided aprinthead re-capping assembly for a printer having a chassis, a platenassembly and a pagewidth printhead operatively mounted on the chassis tocarry out a printing operation on print media passing over the platenassembly, the re-capping assembly comprising

a base structure that is mounted on the chassis;

at least one static solenoid that is mounted on the base structure andthat is connected to an electrical power supply of the printer;

a support member that is actuable by the solenoid to be movable withrespect to the chassis between an operative position and an inoperativeposition; and

a printhead capping member that is mounted on the support member suchthat when the support member is in the operative position, the cappingmember engages the printhead to cap the printhead and when the supportmember is in the inoperative position, the capping member is disengagedfrom the printhead.

The support member may be configured to be normally in the operativeposition and to move into the inoperative position when the solenoid isenergized by the electrical power supply.

A biasing mechanism may be engaged with the support member to bias thesupport member into the operative position when the solenoid isde-energized.

The base structure and the solenoid may both be elongate to correspondwith a length of the printhead.

The support member may also be elongate and may correspond generallywith the printhead.

The capping member may include a length of sponge that is dimensioned tocover the printhead when the support member is displaced into itsoperative position.

A sealing member may be positioned on the support member to bound thelength of sponge such that, when the length of sponge caps theprinthead, the sealing member serves to seal a region about theprinthead.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there isprovided in a camera system comprising: an image sensor device forsensing an image; a processing means for processing the sensed image; aprint media supply means for the supply of print media to a print head;a print head for printing the sensed image on the print media storedinternally to the camera system; a portable power supply interconnectedto the print head, the sensor and the processing means; and a guillotinemechanism located between the print media supply means and the printhead and adapted to cut the print media into sheets of a predeterminedsize.

Further, preferably, the guillotine mechanism is detachable from thecamera system. The guillotine mechanism can be attached to the printmedia supply means and is detachable from the camera system with theprint media supply means. The guillotine mechanism can be mounted on aplaten unit below the print head.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of thepresent invention, preferred forms of the invention will now bedescribed, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of the assembled camera ofthe preferred embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates a rear perspective view, partly exploded, of thepreferred embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the chassis of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the chassis illustrating mounting ofelectric motors;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective of the ink supply mechanism of thepreferred embodiment;

FIG. 6 is rear perspective of the assembled form of the ink supplymechanism of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the assembled form of the inksupply mechanism of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the platen unit of thepreferred embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the assembled form of the platen unit;

FIG. 10 is also a perspective view of the assembled form of the platenunit;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the printhead recappingmechanism of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a close up exploded perspective of the recapping mechanism ofthe preferred embodiment;

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective of the ink supply cartridge of thepreferred embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a close up perspective, view partly in section, of theinternal portions of the ink supply cartridge in an assembled form;

FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram of one form of integrated circuitlayer of the image capture and processing integrated circuit of thepreferred embodiment;

FIG. 16 is an exploded view perspective illustrating the assemblyprocess of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 17 illustrates a front exploded perspective view of the assemblyprocess of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 18 illustrates a perspective view of the assembly process of thepreferred embodiment;

FIG. 19 illustrates a perspective view of the assembly process of thepreferred embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view illustrating the insertion of the platenunit in the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 21 illustrates the interconnection of the electrical components ofthe preferred embodiment;

FIG. 22 illustrates the process of assembling the preferred embodiment;and

FIG. 23 is a perspective view further illustrating the assembly processof the preferred embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND OTHER EMBODIMENTS

Turning initially simultaneously to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 there areillustrated perspective views of an assembled camera constructed inaccordance with the preferred embodiment with FIG. 1 showing a frontperspective view and FIG. 2 showing a rear perspective view. The camera1 includes a paper or plastic film jacket 2 which can include simplifiedinstructions 3 for the operation of the camera system 1. The camerasystem 1 includes a first “take” button 4 which is depressed to capturean image. The captured image is output via output slot 6. A further copyof the image can be obtained through depressing a second “printer copy”button 7 whilst an LED light 5 is illuminated.

The camera system also provides the usual view finder 8 in addition to aCCD image capture/lensing system 9.

The camera system 1 provides for a standard number of output printsafter which the camera system 1 ceases to function. A prints leftindicator slot 10 is provided to indicate the number of remainingprints. A refund scheme at the point of purchase is assumed to beoperational for the return of used camera systems for recycling.

Turning now to FIG. 3, the assembly of the camera system is based aroundan internal chassis 12 which can be a plastic injection molded part. Apair of paper pinch rollers 28, 29 utilized for decurling are snapfitted into corresponding frame holes eg. 26, 27.

As shown in FIG. 4, the chassis 12 includes a series of mutually opposedprongs eg. 13, 14 into which is snapped fitted a series of electricmotors 16, 17. The electric motors 16, 17 can be entirely standard withthe motor 16 being of a stepper motor type. The motor 16, 17 includecogs 19, 20 for driving a series of gear wheels. A first set of gearwheels is provided for controlling a paper cutter mechanism and a secondset is provided for controlling print roll movement.

Turning next to FIGS. 5 to 7, there is illustrated an ink supplymechanism 40 utilized in the camera system. FIG. 5 illustrates a backexploded perspective view, FIG. 6 illustrates a back assembled view andFIG. 7 illustrates a front assembled view. The ink supply mechanism 40is based around an ink supply cartridge 42 which contains printer inkand a print head mechanism for printing out pictures on demand. The inksupply cartridge 42 includes a side aluminium strip 43 which is providedas a shear strip to assist in cutting images from a paper roll.

A dial mechanism 44 is provided for indicating the number of “printsleft”. The dial mechanism 44 is snap fitted through a correspondingmating portion 46 so as to be freely rotatable.

As shown in FIG. 6, the mechanism 40 includes a flexible PCB strip 47which interconnects with the print head and provides for control of theprint head. The interconnection between the Flex PCB strip and an imagesensor and print head integrated circuit can be via Tape AutomatedBonding (TAB) Strips 51, 58. A moulded aspherical lens and aperture shim50 (FIG. 5) is also provided for imaging an image onto the surface ofthe image sensor integrated circuit normally located within cavity 53and a light box module or hood 52 is provided for snap fitting over thecavity 53 so as to provide for proper light control. A series ofdecoupling capacitors eg. 34 can also be provided. Further a plug 45(FIG. 7) is provided for re-plugging ink holes after refilling. A seriesof guide prongs eg. 55-57 are further provided for guiding the flexiblePCB strip 47.

The ink supply mechanism 40 interacts with a platen unit 60 which guidesprint media under a printhead located in the ink supply mechanism. FIG.8 shows an exploded view of the platen unit 60, while FIGS. 9 and 10show assembled views of the platen unit. The platen unit 60 includes afirst pinch roller 61 which is snap fitted to one side of a platen base62. Attached to a second side of the platen base 62 is a cuttingmechanism 63 which traverses the platen unit 60 by means of a rod 64having a screw thread which is rotated by means of cogged wheel 65 whichis also fitted to the platen base 62. The screw threaded rod 64 mounts ablock 67 which includes a cutting wheel 68 fastened via a fastener 69.Also mounted to the block 67 is a counter actuator which includes a pawl71. The pawl 71 acts to rotate the dial mechanism 44 of FIG. 6 upon thereturn traversal of the cutting wheel. As shown previously in FIG. 6,the dial mechanism 44 includes a cogged surface which interacts withpawl 71, thereby maintaining a count of the number of photographs bymeans of numbers embossed on the surface of dial mechanism 44. Thecutting mechanism 63 is inserted into the platen base 62 by means of asnap fit via clips 74.

The platen unit 60 includes an internal recapping mechanism 80 forrecapping the print head when not in use. The recapping mechanism 80includes a sponge portion 81 and is operated via a solenoid coil so asto provide for recapping of the print head. In the preferred embodiment,there is provided an inexpensive form of printhead re-capping mechanismprovided for incorporation into a handheld camera system so as toprovide for printhead re-capping of an inkjet printhead.

FIG. 11 illustrates an exploded view of the recapping mechanism whilstFIG. 12 illustrates a close up of the end portion thereof. There-capping mechanism 80 is structured around a solenoid including a 16turn coil 75 which can comprise insulated wire. The coil 75 is turnedaround a first stationery solenoid arm 76 which is mounted on a bottomsurface of the platen base 62 (FIG. 8) and includes a post portion 77 tomagnify effectiveness of operation. The arm 76 can comprise a ferrousmaterial.

A second moveable arm 78 of the solenoid actuator is also provided. Thearm 78 is moveable and is also made of ferrous material. Mounted on thearm is a sponge portion surrounded by an elastomer strip 79. Theelastomer strip 79 is of a generally arcuate cross-section and act as aleaf spring against the surface of the printhead ink supply cartridge 42(FIG. 5) so as to provide for a seal against the surface of theprinthead ink supply cartridge 42. In the quiescent position anelastomer spring unit 87, 88 acts to resiliently deform the elastomerseal 79 against the surface of the ink supply unit 42.

When it is desired to operate the printhead unit, upon the insertion ofpaper, the solenoid coil 75 is activated so as to cause the arm 78 tomove down to be adjacent to the end plate 76. The arm 78 is held againstend plate 76 while the printhead is printing by means of a small “keepercurrent” in coil 75. Simulation results indicate that the keeper currentcan be significantly less than the actuation current. Subsequently,after photo printing, the paper is guillotined by the cutting mechanism63 of FIG. 8 acting against Aluminium Strip 43, and rewound so as toclear the area of the re-capping mechanism 80. Subsequently, the currentis turned off and springs 87, 88 return the arm 78 so that the elastomerseal is again resting against the printhead ink supply cartridge.

It can be seen that the preferred embodiment provides for a simple andinexpensive means of re-capping a printhead through the utilisation of asolenoid type device having a long rectangular form. Further, thepreferred embodiment utilises minimal power in that currents are onlyrequired whilst the device is operational and additionally, only a lowkeeper current is required whilst the printhead is printing.

Turning next to FIGS. 13 and 14, FIG. 13 illustrates an explodedperspective of the ink supply cartridge 42 whilst FIG. 14 illustrates aclose up sectional view of a bottom of the ink supply cartridge with theprinthead unit in place. The ink supply cartridge 42 is based around apagewidth printhead 102 which comprises a long slither of silicon havinga series of holes etched on the back surface for the supply of ink to afront surface of the silicon wafer for subsequent ejection via a microelectro mechanical system. The form of ejection can be many differentforms such as those set out in the tables below.

Of course, many other inkjet technologies, as referred to the attachedtables below, can also be utilised when constructing a printhead unit102. The fundamental requirement of the ink supply cartridge 42 is thesupply of ink to a series of colour channels etched through the backsurface of the printhead 102. In the description of the preferredembodiment, it is assumed that a three colour printing process is to beutilised so as to provide full colour picture output. Hence, the printsupply unit includes three ink supply reservoirs being a cyan reservoir104, a magenta reservoir 105 and a yellow reservoir 106. Each of thesereservoirs is required to store ink and includes a corresponding spongetype material 107-109 which assists in stabilising ink within thecorresponding ink channel and inhibiting the ink from sloshing back andforth when the printhead is utilised in a handheld camera system. Thereservoirs 104, 105, 106 are formed through the mating of first exteriorplastic piece 110 and a second base piece 111.

At a first end 118 of the base piece 111 a series of air inlet 113-115are provided. Each air inlet leads to a corresponding winding channelwhich is hydrophobically treated so as to act as an ink repellent andtherefore repel any ink that may flow along the air inlet channel. Theair inlet channel further takes a convoluted path assisting in resistingany ink flow out of the chambers 104-106. An adhesive tape portion 117is provided for sealing the channels within end portion 118.

At the top end, there is included a series of refill holes (not shown)for refilling corresponding ink supply chambers 104, 105, 106. A plug121 is provided for sealing the refill holes.

Turning now to FIG. 14, there is illustrated a close up perspectiveview, partly in section through the ink supply cartridge 42 of FIG. 13when formed as a unit. The ink supply cartridge includes the threecolour ink reservoirs 104, 105, 106 which supply ink to differentportions of the back surface of printhead 102 which includes a series ofapertures 128 defined therein for carriage of the ink to the frontsurface.

The ink supply cartridge 42 includes two guide walls 124, 125 whichseparate the various ink chambers and are tapered into an end portionabutting the surface of the printhead 102. The guide walls 124, 125 arefurther mechanically supported by block portions eg. 126 which areplaced at regular intervals along the length of the ink supply unit. Theblock portions 126 leave space at portions close to the back ofprinthead 102 for the flow of ink around the back surface thereof.

The ink supply unit is preferably formed from a multi-part plasticinjection mould and the mould pieces eg. 110, 111 (FIG. 13) snaptogether around the sponge pieces 107, 109. Subsequently, a syringe typedevice can be inserted in the ink refill holes and the ink reservoirsfilled with ink with the air flowing out of the air outlets 113-115.Subsequently, the adhesive tape portion 117 and plug 121 are attachedand the printhead tested for operation capabilities. Subsequently, theink supply cartridge 42 can be readily removed for refilling by means ofremoving the ink supply cartridge, performing a washing cycle, and thenutilising the holes for the insertion of a refill syringe filled withink for refilling the ink chamber before returning the ink supplycartridge 42 to a camera. Turning now to FIG. 15, there is shown anexample layout of the Image Capture and Processing integrated circuit(ICP) 48.

The Image Capture and Processing integrated circuit 48 provides most ofthe electronic functionality of the camera with the exception of theprint head integrated circuit. The integrated circuit 48 is a highlyintegrated system. It combines CMOS image sensing, analog to digitalconversion, digital image processing, DRAM storage, ROM, andmiscellaneous control functions in a single integrated circuit.

The integrated circuit is estimated to be around 32 mm² using a leadingedge 0.18 micron CMOS/DRAM/APS process. The integrated circuit size andcost can scale somewhat with Moore's law, but is dominated by a CMOSactive pixel sensor array 201, so scaling is limited as the sensorpixels approach the diffraction limit.

The ICP 48 includes CMOS logic, a CMOS image sensor, DRAM, and analogcircuitry. A very small amount of flash memory or other non-volatilememory is also preferably included for protection against reverseengineering.

Alternatively, the ICP can readily be divided into two integratedcircuits: one for the CMOS imaging array, and the other for theremaining circuitry. The cost of this two integrated circuit solutionshould not be significantly different than the single integrated circuitICP, as the extra cost of packaging and bond-pad area is somewhatcancelled by the reduced total wafer area requiring the color filterfabrication steps. The ICP preferably contains the following functions:

Function 1.5 megapixel image sensor Analog Signal Processors Imagesensor column decoders Image sensor row decoders Analogue to DigitalConversion (ADC) Column ADC's Auto exposure 12 Mbits of DRAM DRAMAddress Generator Color interpolator Convolver Color ALU Halftone matrixROM Digital halftoning Print head interface 8 bit CPU core Program ROMFlash memory Scratchpad SRAM Parallel interface (8 bit) Motor drivetransistors (5) Clock PLL JTAG test interface Test circuits Busses Bondpads

The CPU, DRAM, Image sensor, ROM, Flash memory, Parallel interface, JTAGinterface and ADC can be vendor supplied cores. The ICP is intended torun on 1.5V to minimize power consumption and allow convenient operationfrom two AA type battery cells.

FIG. 15 illustrates a layout of the ICP 48. The ICP 48 is dominated bythe imaging array 201, which consumes around 80% of the integratedcircuit area. The imaging array is a CMOS 4 transistor active pixeldesign with a resolution of 1,500×1,000. The array can be divided intothe conventional configuration, with two green pixels, one red pixel,and one blue pixel in each pixel group. There are 750×500 pixel groupsin the imaging array.

The latest advances in the field of image sensing and CMOS image sensingin particular can be found in the October, 1997 issue of IEEETransactions on Electron Devices and, in particular, pages 1689 to 1968.Further, a specific implementation similar to that disclosed in thepresent application is disclosed in Wong et. al, “CMOS Active PixelImage Sensors Fabricated Using a 1.8V, 0.25 μm CMOS Technology”, IEDM1996, page 915

The imaging array uses a 4 transistor active pixel design of a standardconfiguration. To minimize integrated circuit area and therefore cost,the image sensor pixels should be as small as feasible with thetechnology available. With a four transistor cell, the typical pixelsize scales as 20 times the lithographic feature size. This allows aminimum pixel area of around 3.6 μm×3.6 μm. However, the photosite mustbe substantially above the diffraction limit of the lens. It is alsoadvantageous to have a square photosite, to maximize the margin over thediffraction limit in both horizontal and vertical directions. In thiscase, the photosite can be specified as 2.5 μm×2.5 μm. The photosite canbe a photogate, pinned photodiode, charge modulation device, or othersensor.

The four transistors are packed as an ‘L’ shape, rather than arectangular region, to allow both the pixel and the photosite to besquare. This reduces the transistor packing density slightly, increasingpixel size. However, the advantage in avoiding the diffraction limit isgreater than the small decrease in packing density.

The transistors also have a gate length which is longer than the minimumfor the process technology.

These have been increased from a drawn length of 0.18 micron to a drawnlength of 0.36 micron. This is to improve the transistor matching bymaking the variations in gate length represent a smaller proportion ofthe total gate length.

The extra gate length, and the ‘L’ shaped packing, mean that thetransistors use more area than the minimum for the technology. Normally,around 8 μm² would be required for rectangular packing. Preferably, 9.75μm² has been allowed for the transistors.

The total area for each pixel is 16 μm², resulting from a pixel size of4 μm×4 μm. With a resolution of 1,500×1,000, the area of the imagingarray 101 is 6,000 μm×4,000 μm, or 24 mm².

The presence of a color image sensor on the integrated circuit affectsthe process required in two major ways:

-   -   The CMOS fabrication process should be optimized to minimize        dark current

Color filters are required. These can be fabricated using dyedphotosensitive polyimides, resulting in an added process complexity ofthree spin coatings, three photolithographic steps, three developmentsteps, and three hardbakes.

There are 15,000 analog signal processors (ASPs) 205, one for each ofthe columns of the sensor. The ASPs amplify the signal, provide a darkcurrent reference, sample and hold the signal, and suppress the fixedpattern noise (FPN).

There are 375 analog to digital converters 206, one for each fourcolumns of the sensor array. These may be delta-sigma or successiveapproximation type ADC's. A row of low column ADC's are used to reducethe conversion speed required, and the amount of analog signaldegradation incurred before the signal is converted to digital. Thisalso eliminates the hot spot (affecting local dark current) and thesubstrate coupled noise that would occur if a single high speed ADC wasused. Each ADC also has two four bit DAC's which trim the offset andscale of the ADC to further reduce FPN variations between columns. TheseDAC's are controlled by data stored in flash memory during integratedcircuit testing.

The column select logic 204 is a 1:1500 decoder which enables theappropriate digital output of the ADCs onto the output bus. As each ADCis shared by four columns, the least significant two bits of the rowselect control 4 input analog multiplexors.

A row decoder 207 is a 1:1000 decoder which enables the appropriate rowof the active pixel sensor array. This selects which of the 1000 rows ofthe imaging array is connected to analog signal processors. As the rowsare always accessed in sequence, the row select logic can be implementedas a shift register.

An auto exposure system 208 adjusts the reference voltage of the ADC 205in response to the maximum intensity sensed during the previous frameperiod. Data from the green pixels is passed through a digital peakdetector. The peak value of the image frame period before capture (thereference frame) is provided to a digital to analogue converter(DAC),which generates the global reference voltage for the column ADCs. Thepeak detector is reset at the beginning of the reference frame. Theminimum and maximum values of the three RGB color components are alsocollected for color correction.

The second largest section of the integrated circuit is consumed by aDRAM 210 used to hold the image. To store the 1,500×1,000 image from thesensor without compression, 1.5 Mbytes of DRAM 210 are required. Thisequals 12 Mbits, or slightly less than 5% of a 256 Mbit DRAM. The DRAMtechnology assumed is of the 256 Mbit generation implemented using 0.18μm CMOS.

Using a standard 8F cell, the area taken by the memory array is 3.11mm². When row decoders, column sensors, redundancy, and other factorsare taken into account, the DRAM requires around 4 mm².

This DRAM 210 can be mostly eliminated if analog storage of the imagesignal can be accurately maintained in the CMOS imaging array for thetwo seconds required to print the photo. However, digital storage of theimage is preferable as it is maintained without degradation, isinsensitive to noise, and allows copies of the photo to be printedconsiderably later.

A DRAM address generator 211 provides the write and read addresses tothe DRAM 210. Under normal operation, the write address is determined bythe order of the data read from the CMOS image sensor 201. This willtypically be a simple raster format. However, the data can be read fromthe sensor 201 in any order, if matching write addresses to the DRAM aregenerated. The read order from the DRAM 210 will normally simply matchthe requirements of a color interpolator and the print head. As thecyan, magenta, and yellow rows of the print head are necessarily offsetby a few pixels to allow space for nozzle actuators, the colors are notread from the DRAM simultaneously. However, there is plenty of time toread all of the data from the DRAM many times during the printingprocess. This capability is used to eliminate the need for FIFOs in theprint head interface, thereby saving integrated circuit area. All threeRGB image components can be read from the DRAM each time color data isrequired. This allows a color space converter to provide a moresophisticated conversion than a simple linear RGB to CMY conversion.

Also, to allow two dimensional filtering of the image data withoutrequiring line buffers, data is re-read from the DRAM array.

The address generator may also implement image effects in certain modelsof camera. For example, passport photos are generated by a manipulationof the read addresses to the DRAM. Also, image framing effects (wherethe central image is reduced), image warps, and kaleidoscopic effectscan all be generated by manipulating the read addresses of the DRAM.

While the address generator 211 may be implemented with substantialcomplexity if effects are built into the standard integrated circuit,the integrated circuit area required for the address generator is small,as it consists only of address counters and a moderate amount of randomlogic.

A color interpolator 214 converts the interleaved pattern of red,2×green, and blue pixels into RGB pixels. It consists of three 8 bitadders and associated registers. The divisions are by either 2 (forgreen) or 4 (for red and blue) so they can be implemented as fixedshifts in the output connections of the adders.

A convolver 215 is provided as a sharpening filter which applies a smallconvolution kernel (5×5) to the red, green, and blue planes of theimage. The convolution kernel for the green plane is different from thatof the red and blue planes, as green has twice as many samples. Thesharpening filter has five functions:

-   -   To improve the color interpolation from the linear interpolation        provided by the color interpolator, to a close approximation of        a sinc interpolation.    -   To compensate for the image ‘softening’ which occurs during        digitization.    -   To adjust the image sharpness to match average consumer        preferences, which are typically for the image to be slightly        sharper than reality. As the single use camera is intended as a        consumer product, and not a professional photographic products,        the processing can match the most popular settings, rather than        the most accurate.    -   To suppress the sharpening of high frequency (individual pixel)        noise. The function is similar to the ‘unsharp mask’ process.    -   To antialias Image Warping.

These functions are all combined into a single convolution matrix. Asthe pixel rate is low (less than 1 Mpixel per second) the total numberof multiplies required for the three color channels is 56 millionmultiplies per second. This can be provided by a single multiplier.Fifty bytes of coefficient ROM are also required.

A color ALU 113 combines the functions of color compensation and colorspace conversion into the one matrix multiplication, which is applied toevery pixel of the frame. As with sharpening, the color correctionshould match the most popular settings, rather than the most accurate.

A color compensation circuit of the color ALU provides compensation forthe lighting of the photo. The vast majority of photographs aresubstantially improved by a simple color compensation, whichindependently normalizes the contrast and brightness of the three colorcomponents.

A color look-up table (CLUT) 212 is provided for each color component.These are three separate 256×8 SRAMs, requiring a total of 6,144 bits.The CLUTs are used as part of the color correction process. They arealso used for color special effects, such as stochastically selected“wild color” effects.

A color space conversion system of the color ALU converts from the RGBcolor space of the image sensor to the CMY color space of the printer.The simplest conversion is a 1's complement of the RGB data. However,this simple conversion assumes perfect linearity of both color spaces,and perfect dye spectra for both the color filters of the image sensor,and the ink dyes. At the other extreme is a tri-linear interpolation ofa sampled three dimensional arbitrary transform table. This caneffectively match any non-linearity or differences in either colorspace. Such a system is usually necessary to obtain good color spaceconversion when the print engine is a color electrophotographic

However, since the non-linearity of a halftoned ink jet output is verysmall, a simpler system can be used. A simple matrix multiply canprovide excellent results. This requires nine multiplies and sixadditions per contone pixel. However, since the contone pixel rate islow (less than 1 Mpixel/sec) these operations can share a singlemultiplier and adder. The multiplier and adder are used in a color ALUwhich is shared with the color compensation function.

Digital halftoning can be performed as a dispersed dot ordered ditherusing a stochastic optimized dither cell. A halftone matrix ROM 216 isprovided for storing dither cell coefficients. A dither cell size of32×32 is adequate to ensure that the cell repeat cycle is not visible.The three colors-cyan, magenta, and yellow- are all dithered using thesame cell, to ensure maximum co-positioning of the ink dots. Thisminimizes ‘muddying’ of the mid-tones which results from bleed of dyesfrom one dot to adjacent dots while still wet. The total ROM sizerequired is 1 KByte, as the one ROM is shared by the halftoning unitsfor each of the three colors.

The digital halftoning used is dispersed dot ordered dither withstochastic optimized dither matrix. While dithering does not produce animage quite as ‘sharp’ as error diffusion, it does produce a moreaccurate image with fewer artifacts. The image sharpening produced byerror diffusion is artificial, and less controllable and accurate than‘unsharp mask’ filtering performed in the contone domain. The high printresolution (1,600 dpi×1,600 dpi) results in excellent quality when usinga well formed stochastic dither matrix.

Digital halftoning is performed by a digital halftoning unit 217 using asimple comparison between the contone information from the DRAM 210 andthe contents of the dither matrix 216. During the halftone process, theresolution of the image is changed from the 250 dpi of the capturedcontone image to the 1,600 dpi of the printed image. Each contone pixelis converted to an average of 40.96 halftone dots.

The ICP incorporates a 16 bit microcontroller CPU core 219 to run themiscellaneous camera functions, such as reading the buttons, controllingthe motor and solenoids, setting up the hardware, and authenticating therefill station. The processing power required by the CPU is very modest,and a wide variety of processor cores can be used. As the entire CPUprogram is run from a small ROM 220, program compatibility betweencamera versions is not important, as no external programs are run. A 2Mbit (256 Kbyte) program and data ROM 220 is included on integratedcircuit. Most of this ROM space is allocated to data for outlinegraphics and fonts for specialty cameras. The program requirements areminor. The single most complex task is the encrypted authentication ofthe refill station. The ROM requires a single transistor per bit.

A Flash memory 221 may be used to store a 128 bit authentication code.This provides higher security than storage of the authentication code inROM, as reverse engineering can be made essentially impossible. TheFlash memory is completely covered by third level metal, making the dataimpossible to extract using scanning probe microscopes or electronbeams. The authentication code is stored in the integrated circuit whenmanufactured. At least two other Flash bits are required for theauthentication process: a bit which locks out reprogramming of theauthentication code, and a bit which indicates that the camera has beenrefilled by an authenticated refill station. The flash memory can alsobe used to store FPN correction data for the imaging array.Additionally, a phase locked loop resealing parameter is stored forscaling the clocking cycle to an appropriate correct time. The clockfrequency does not require crystal accuracy since no date functions areprovided. To eliminate the cost of a crystal, an on integrated circuitoscillator with a phase locked loop 224 is used. As the frequency of anon-integrated circuit oscillator is highly variable from integratedcircuit to integrated circuit, the frequency ratio of the oscillator tothe PLL is digitally trimmed during initial testing. The value is storedin Flash memory 221. This allows the clock PLL to control the inkjetheater pulse width with sufficient accuracy.

A scratchpad SRAM is a small static RAM 222 with a 6T cell. Thescratchpad provided temporary memory for the 16 bit CPU. 1024 bytes isadequate.

A print head interface 223 formats the data correctly for the printhead. The print head interface also provides all of the timing signalsrequired by the print head. These timing signals may vary depending upontemperature, the number of dots printed simultaneously, the print mediumin the print roll, and the dye density of the ink in the print roll.

The following is a table of external connections to the print headinterface:

Connection Function Pins DataBits[0-7] Independent serial data to theeight segments 8 of the print head BitClock Main data clock for theprint head 1 ColorEnable[0-2] Independent enable signals for the CMY 3actuators, allowing different pulse times for each color.BankEnable[0-1] Allows either simultaneous or interleaved 2 actuation oftwo banks of nozzles. This allows two different print speed/powerconsumption tradeoffs NozzleSelect[0-4] Selects one of 32 banks ofnozzles for 5 simultaneous actuation ParallelXferClock Loads theparallel transfer register with the 1 data from the shift registersTotal 20

The print head utilized is composed of eight identical segments, each1.25 cm long. There is no connection between the segments on the printhead integrated circuit. Any connections required are made in theexternal TAB bonding film, which is double sided. The division intoeight identical segments is to simplify lithography using wafersteppers. The segment width of 1.25 cm fits easily into a stepper field.As the print head integrated circuit is long and narrow (10 cm×0.3 mm),the stepper field contains a single segment of 32 print head integratedcircuits. The stepper field is therefore 1.25 cm×1.6 cm. An average offour complete print heads are patterned in each wafer step.

A single BitClock output line connects to all 8 segments on the printhead. The 8 DataBits lines lead one to each segment, and are clockedinto the 8 segments on the print head simultaneously (on a BitClockpulse). For example, dot 0 is transferred to segment₀, dot 750 istransferred to segment₁, dot 1500 to segment₂ etc simultaneously.

The ParallelXferClock is connected to each of the 8 segments on theprint head, so that on a single pulse, all segments transfer their bitsat the same time.

The NozzleSelect, BankEnable and ColorEnable lines are connected to eachof the 8 segments, allowing the print head interface to independentlycontrol the duration of the cyan, magenta, and yellow nozzle energizingpulses. Registers in the Print Head Interface allow the accuratespecification of the pulse duration between 0 and 6 ms, with a typicalduration of 2 ms to 3 ms.

A parallel interface 125 connects the ICP to individual staticelectrical signals. The CPU is able to control each of these connectionsas memory mapped I/O via a low speed bus.

The following is a table of connections to the parallel interface:

Connection Direction Pins Paper transport stepper motor Output 4 Cappingsolenoid Output 1 Copy LED Output 1 Photo button Input 1 Copy buttonInput 1 Total 8

Seven high current drive transistors eg. 227 are required. Four are forthe four phases of the main stepper motor, two are for the guillotinemotor, and the remaining transistor is to drive the capping solenoid.These transistors are allocated 20,000 square microns (600,000 F) each.As the transistors are driving highly inductive loads, they must eitherbe turned off slowly, or be provided with a high level of back EMFprotection. If adequate back EMF protection cannot be provided using theintegrated circuit process chosen, then external discrete transistorsshould be used. The transistors are never driven at the same time as theimage sensor is used. This is to avoid voltage fluctuations and hotspots affecting the image quality. Further, the transistors are locatedas far away from the sensor as possible.

A standard JTAG (Joint Test Action Group) interface 228 is included inthe ICP for testing purposes and for interrogation by the refillstation. Due to the complexity of the integrated circuit, a variety oftesting techniques are required, including BIST (Built In Self Test) andfunctional block isolation. An overhead of 10% in integrated circuitarea is assumed for integrated circuit testing circuitry for the randomlogic portions. The overhead for the large arrays the image sensor andthe DRAM is smaller.

The JTAG interface is also used for authentication of the refillstation. This is included to ensure that the cameras are only refilledwith quality paper and ink at a properly constructed refill station,thus preventing inferior quality refills from occurring. The camera mustauthenticate the refill station, rather than vice versa. The secureprotocol is communicated to the refill station during the automated testprocedure. Contact is made to four gold plated spots on the ICP/printhead TAB by the refill station as the new ink is injected into the printhead.

FIG. 16 illustrates a rear view of the next step in the constructionprocess whilst FIG. 17 illustrates a front view.

Turning now to FIG. 16, the assembly of the camera system proceeds viafirst assembling the ink supply mechanism 40. The flex PCB isinterconnected with batteries 84 only one of which is shown, which areinserted in the middle portion of a print roll 85 which is wrappedaround a plastic former 86. An end cap 89 is provided at the other endof the print roll 85 so as to fasten the print roll and batteries firmlyto the ink supply mechanism.

The solenoid coil is interconnected (not shown) to interconnects 97, 98(FIG. 8) which include leaf spring ends for interconnection withelectrical contacts on the Flex PCB so as to provide for electricalcontrol of the solenoid.

Turning now to FIGS. 17-19 the next step in the construction process isthe insertion of the relevant gear trains into the side of the camerachassis. FIG. 17 illustrates a front view, FIG. 18 illustrates a rearview and FIG. 19 also illustrates a rear view. The first gear traincomprising gear wheels 22, 23 is utilised for driving the guillotineblade with the gear wheel 23 engaging the gear wheel 65 of FIG. 8. Thesecond gear train comprising gear wheels 24, 25 and 26 engage one end ofthe print roller 61 of FIG. 8. As best indicated in FIG. 18, the gearwheels mate with corresponding pins on the surface of the chassis withthe gear wheel 26 being snap fitted into corresponding mating hole 27.

Next, as illustrated in FIG. 20, the assembled platen unit 60 is theninserted between the print roll 85 and aluminium cutting blade 43.

Turning now to FIG. 21, by way of illumination, there is illustrated theelectrically interactive components of the camera system. As notedpreviously, the components are based around a Flex PCB board and includea TAB film 58 which interconnects the printhead 102 with the imagesensor and processing integrated circuit 48. Power is supplied by two AAtype batteries 83, 84 and a paper drive stepper motor 16 is provided inaddition to a rotary guillotine motor 17.

An optical element 31 is provided for snapping into a top portion of thechassis 12. The optical element 31 includes portions defining an opticalview finder 32, 33 which are slotted into mating portions 35, 36 in viewfinder channel 37. Also provided in the optical element 31 is a lensingsystem 38 for magnification of the prints left number in addition to anoptical pipe element 39 for piping light from the LED 5 for externaldisplay.

Turning next to FIG. 22, the assembled unit 90 is then inserted into afront outer case 91 which includes button 4 for activation of printouts.

Turning now to FIG. 23, next, the unit 90 is provided with a snap-onback cover 93 which includes a slot 6 and copy print button 7. A wrapperlabel containing instructions and advertising (not shown) is thenwrapped around the outer surface of the camera system and pinch clampedto the cover by means of clamp strip 96 which can comprise a flexibleplastic or rubber strip.

Subsequently, the preferred embodiment is ready for use as a one timeuse camera system that provides for instant output images on demand. Itwill be evident that the preferred embodiment further provides for arefillable camera system. A used camera can be collected and its outerplastic cases removed and recycled. A new paper roll and batteries canbe added and the ink cartridge refilled. A series of automatic testroutines can then be carried out to ensure that the printer is properlyoperational. Further, in order to ensure only authorised refills areconducted so as to enhance quality, routines in the on-integratedcircuit program ROM can be executed such that the camera authenticatesthe refilling station using a secure protocol. Upon authentication, thecamera can reset an internal paper count and an external case can befitted on the camera system with a new outer label. Subsequent packingand shipping can then take place.

It will be further readily evident to those skilled in the art that theprogram ROM can be modified so as to allow for a variety of digitalprocessing routines. In addition to the digitally enhanced photographsoptimised for mainstream consumer preferences, various other models canreadily be provided through mere re-programming of the program ROM. Forexample, a sepia classic old fashion style output can be providedthrough a remapping of the colour mapping function. A furtheralternative is to provide for black and white outputs again through asuitable colour remapping algorithm. Minimum colour can also be providedto add a touch of colour to black and white prints to produce the effectthat was traditionally used to colourize black and white photos.Further, passport photo output can be provided through suitable addressremappings within the address generators. Further, edge filters can beutilised as is known in the field of image processing to producesketched art styles. Further, classic wedding borders and designs can beplaced around an output image in addition to the provision of relevantclip arts. For example, a wedding style camera might be provided.Further, a panoramic mode can be provided so as to output the well knownpanoramic format of images. Further, a postcard style output can beprovided through the printing of postcards including postage on the backof a print roll surface. Further, cliparts can be provided for specialevents such as Halloween, Christmas etc. Further, kaleidoscopic effectscan be provided through address remappings and wild colour effects canbe provided through remapping of the colour lookup table. Many otherforms of special event cameras can be provided for example, camerasdedicated to the Olympics, movie tie-ins, advertising and other specialevents.

The operational mode of the camera can be programmed so that upon thedepressing of the take photo a first image is sampled by the sensorarray to determine irrelevant parameters. Next a second image is againcaptured which is utilised for the output. The captured image is thenmanipulated in accordance with any special requirements before beinginitially output on the paper roll. The LED light is then activated fora predetermined time during which the DRAM is refreshed so as to retainthe image. If the print copy button is depressed during thispredetermined time interval, a further copy of the photo is output.After the predetermined time interval where no use of the camera hasoccurred, the onboard CPU shuts down all power to the camera systemuntil such time as the take button is again activated. In this way,substantial power savings can be realized.

Ink Jet Technologies

The embodiments of the invention use an ink jet printer type device. Ofcourse many different devices could be used. However presently popularink jet printing technologies are unlikely to be suitable.

The most significant problem with thermal inkjet is power consumption.This is approximately 100 times that required for high speed, and stemsfrom the energy-inefficient means of drop ejection. This involves therapid boiling of water to produce a vapor bubble which expels the ink.Water has a very high heat capacity, and must be superheated in thermalinkjet applications. This leads to an efficiency of around 0.02%, fromelectricity input to drop momentum (and increased surface area) out.

The most significant problem with piezoelectric inkjet is size and cost.Piezoelectric crystals have a very small deflection at reasonable drivevoltages, and therefore require a large area for each nozzle. Also, eachpiezoelectric actuator must be connected to its drive circuit on aseparate substrate. This is not a significant problem at the currentlimit of around 300 nozzles per print head, but is a major impediment tothe fabrication of pagewide print heads with 19,200 nozzles.

Ideally, the inkjet technologies used meet the stringent requirements ofin-camera digital color printing and other high quality, high speed, lowcost printing applications. To meet the requirements of digitalphotography, new inkjet technologies have been created. The targetfeatures include:

low power (less than 10 Watts)

high resolution capability (1,600 dpi or more)

photographic quality output

low manufacturing cost

small size (pagewidth times minimum cross section)

high speed (<2 seconds per page).

All of these features can be met or exceeded by the inkjet systemsdescribed below with differing levels of difficulty. 45 different inkjettechnologies have been developed by the Assignee to give a wide range ofchoices for high volume manufacture. These technologies form part ofseparate applications assigned to the present Assignee as set out in thetable below.

The inkjet designs shown here are suitable for a wide range of digitalprinting systems, from battery powered one-time use digital cameras,through to desktop and network printers, and through to commercialprinting systems

For ease of manufacture using standard process equipment, the print headis designed to be a monolithic 0.5 micron CMOS integrated circuit withMEMS post processing. For color photographic applications, the printhead is 100 mm long, with a width which depends upon the inkjet type.The smallest print head designed is IJ38, which is 0.35 mm wide, givinga integrated circuit area of 35 square mm. The print heads each contain19,200 nozzles plus data and control circuitry.

Ink is supplied to the back of the print head by injection moldedplastic ink channels. The molding requires 50 micron features, which canbe created using a lithographically micromachined insert in a standardinjection molding tool. Ink flows through holes etched through the waferto the nozzle chambers fabricated on the front surface of the wafer. Theprint head is connected to the camera circuitry by tape automatedbonding.

CROSS-REFERENCED APPLICATIONS

The following table is a guide to cross-referenced patent applicationsfiled concurrently herewith and discussed hereinafter with the referencebeing utilized in subsequent tables when referring to a particular case:

Reference Title IJ01 Radiant Plunger Ink Jet Printer IJ02 ElectrostaticInk Jet Printer IJ03 Planar Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Ink Jet IJ04Stacked Electrostatic Ink Jet Printer IJ05 Reverse Spring Lever Ink JetPrinter IJ06 Paddle Type Ink Jet Printer IJ07 Permanent MagnetElectromagnetic Ink Jet Printer IJ08 Planar Swing Grill ElectromagneticInk Jet Printer IJ09 Pump Action Refill Ink Jet Printer IJ10 PulsedMagnetic Field Ink Jet Printer IJ11 Two Plate Reverse FiringElectromagnetic Ink Jet Printer IJ12 Linear Stepper Actuator Ink JetPrinter IJ13 Gear Driven Shutter Ink Jet Printer IJ14 Tapered MagneticPole Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer IJ15 Linear Spring ElectromagneticGrill Ink Jet Printer IJ16 Lorenz Diaphragm Electromagnetic Ink JetPrinter IJ17 PTFE Surface Shooting Shuttered Oscillating Pressure InkJet Printer IJ18 Buckle Grip Oscillating Pressure Ink Jet Printer IJ19Shutter Based Ink Jet Printer IJ20 Curling Calyx Thermoelastic Ink JetPrinter IJ21 Thermal Actuated Ink Jet Printer IJ22 Iris Motion Ink JetPrinter IJ23 Direct Firing Thermal Bend Actuator Ink Jet Printer IJ24Conductive PTFE Ben Activator Vented Ink Jet Printer IJ25Magnetostrictive Ink Jet Printer IJ26 Shape Memory Alloy Ink Jet PrinterIJ27 Buckle Plate Ink Jet Printer IJ28 Thermal Elastic Rotary ImpellerInk Jet Printer IJ29 Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Ink Jet Printer IJ30Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Using PTFE and Corrugated Copper Ink JetPrinter IJ31 Bend Actuator Direct Ink Supply Ink Jet Printer IJ32 A HighYoung's Modulus Thermoelastic Ink Jet Printer IJ33 Thermally actuatedslotted chamber wall ink jet printer IJ34 Ink Jet Printer having athermal actuator comprising an external coiled spring IJ35 TroughContainer Ink Jet Printer IJ36 Dual Chamber Single Vertical Actuator InkJet IJ37 Dual Nozzle Single Horizontal Fulcrum Actuator Ink Jet IJ38Dual Nozzle Single Horizontal Actuator Ink Jet IJ39 A single bendactuator cupped paddle ink jet printing device IJ40 A thermally actuatedink jet printer having a series of thermal actuator units IJ41 Athermally actuated ink jet printer including a tapered heater elementIJ42 Radial Back-Curling Thermoelastic Ink Jet IJ43 Inverted RadialBack-Curling Thermoelastic Ink Jet IJ44 Surface bend actuator vented inksupply ink jet printer IJ45 Coil Acutuated Magnetic Plate Ink JetPrinterTables of Prop-on-Demand Inkjets

Eleven important characteristics of the fundamental operation ofindividual inkjet nozzles have been identified. These characteristicsare largely orthogonal, and so can be elucidated as an elevendimensional matrix. Most of the eleven axes of this matrix includeentries developed by the present assignee.

The following tables form the axes of an eleven dimensional table ofinkjet types.

Actuator mechanism (18 types)

Basic operation mode (7 types)

Auxiliary mechanism (8 types)

Actuator amplification or modification method (17 types)

Actuator motion (19 types)

Nozzle refill method (4 types)

Method of restricting back-flow through inlet (10 types)

Nozzle clearing method (9 types)

Nozzle plate construction (9 types)

Drop ejection direction (5 types)

Ink type (7 types)

The complete eleven dimensional table represented by these axes contains36.9 billion possible configurations of inkjet nozzle. While not all ofthe possible combinations result in a viable inkjet technology, manymillion configurations are viable. It is clearly impractical toelucidate all of the possible configurations.

Instead, certain inkjet types have been investigated in detail. Theseare designated IJ01 to IJ45 above.

Other inkjet configurations can readily be derived from these 45examples by substituting alternative configurations along one or more ofthe 11 axes. Most of the IJ01 to IJ45 examples can be made into inkjetprint heads with characteristics superior to any currently availableinkjet technology.

Where there are prior art examples known to the inventor, one or more ofthese examples are listed in the examples column of the tables below.The IJ01 to IJ45 series are also listed in the examples column. In somecases, a printer may be listed more than once in a table, where itshares characteristics with more than one entry.

Suitable applications include: Home printers, Office network printers,Short run digital printers, Commercial print systems, Fabric printers,Pocket printers, Internet WWW printers, Video printers, Medical imaging,Wide format printers, Notebook PC printers, Fax machines, Industrialprinting systems, Photocopiers, Photographic minilabs etc.

The information associated with the aforementioned 11 dimensional matrixare set out in the following tables.

ACTUATOR MECHANISM (APPLIED ONLY TO SELECTED INK DROPS) ActuatorMechanism Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Thermal bubbleAn electrothermal heater heats the ink to 1) Large force generated 6)High power 16) Canon Bubblejet above boiling point, transferring 2)Simple construction 7) Ink carrier limited to water 1979 Endo et al GBsignificant heat to the aqueous ink. A 3) No moving parts 8) Lowefficiency patent 2,007,162 bubble nucleates and quickly forms, 4) Fastoperation 9) High temperatures required 17) Xerox heater-in- expellingthe ink. 5) Small integrated circuit area 10) High mechanical stress pit1990 Hawkins et al The efficiency of the process is low, with requiredfor actuator 11) Unusual materials required U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,181typically less than 0.05% of the electrical 12) Large drive transistors18) Hewlett-Packard energy being transformed into kinetic energy of 13)Cavitation causes actuator failure TIJ 1982 Vaught et al the drop. 14)Kogation reduces bubble formation U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,728 15) Largeprint heads are difficult to fabricate Piezoelectric A piezoelectriccrystal such as lead 19) Low power consumption 23) Very large arearequired for actuator 28) Kyser et al U.S. Pat. No. lanthanum zirconate(PZT) is electrically 20) Many ink types can be 24) Difficult tointegrate with electronics 3,946,398 activated, and either expands,shears, or used 25) High voltage drive transistors 29) Zoltan U.S. Pat.No. bends to apply pressure to the ink, ejecting drops. 21) Fastoperation required 3,683,212 22) High efficiency 26) Full pagewidthprint heads 30) 1973 Stemme impractical due to actuator size U.S. Pat.No. 3,747,120 27) Requires electrical poling in high 31) Epson Stylusfield strengths during manufacture 32) Tektronix 33) IJ04Electro-strictive An electric field is used to activate 34) Low powerconsumption 39) Low maximum strain (approx. 44) Seiko Epson,electrostriction in relaxor materials such 35) Many ink types can be0.01%) Usui et all JP as lead lanthanum zirconate titanate used 40)Large area required for actuator due 253401/96 (PLZT) or lead magnesiumniobate 36) Low thermal expansion to low strain 45) IJ04 (PMN). 37)Electric field strength 41) Response speed is marginal (~10 μs) required(approx. 3.5 V/μm) 42) High voltage drive transistors can be generatedwithout required difficulty 43) Full pagewidth print heads 38) Does notrequire impractical due to actuator size electrical poling FerroelectricAn electric field is used to induce a 46) Low power consumption 52)Difficult to integrate with electronics 55) IJ04 phase transitionbetween the 47) Many ink types can be 53) Unusual materials such asPLZSnT antiferroelectric (AFE) and ferroelectric used are required (FE)phase. Perovskite materials such as 48) Fast operation (<1 μs) 54)Actuators require a large area tin modified lead lanthanum zirconate 49)Relatively high titanate (PLZSnT) exhibit large strains of longitudinalstrain up to 1% associated with the AFE to FE 50) High efficiency phasetransition. 51) Electric field strength of around 3 V/μm can be readilyprovided Electrostatic Conductive plates are separated by a 56) Lowpower consumption 59) Difficult to operate electrostatic 64) IJ02, IJ04plates compressible or fluid dielectric (usually 57) Many ink types canbe devices in an aqueous environment air). Upon application of avoltage, the used 60) The electrostatic actuator will plates attracteach other and displace ink, 58) Fast operation normally need to beseparated from the ink causing drop ejection. The conductive 61) Verylarge area required to achieve plates may be in a comb or honeycomb highforces structure, or stacked to increase the 62) High voltage drivetransistors may be surface area and therefore the force. required 63)Full pagewidth print heads are not competitive due to actuator sizeElectrostatic pull on ink A strong electric field is applied to the 65)Low current 67) High voltage required 72) 1989 Saito et al, ink,whereupon electrostatic attraction consumption 68) May be damaged bysparks due to air U.S. Pat. No. 4,799,068 accelerates the ink towardsthe print 66) Low temperature breakdown 73) 1989 Miura et al, medium.69) Required field strength increases as U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,954 thedrop size decreases 74) Tone-jet 70) High voltage drive transistorsrequired 71) Electrostatic field attracts dust Permanent Anelectromagnet directly attracts a 75) Low power consumption 80) Complexfabrication 86) IJ07, IJ10 magnet electro-magnetic permanent magnet,displacing ink and 76) Many ink types can be 81) Permanent magneticmaterial such as causing drop ejection. Rare earth used Neodymium IronBoron (NdFeB) required. magnets with a field strength around 1 77) Fastoperation 82) High local currents required Tesla can be used. Examplesare: 78) High efficiency 83) Copper metalization should be used SamariumCobalt (SaCo) and magnetic 79) Easy extension from for longelectromigration lifetime and low materials in the neodymium iron boronsingle nozzles to pagewidth resistivity family (NdFeB, NdDyFeBNb, printheads 84) Pigmented inks are usually infeasible NdDyFeB, etc) 85)Operating temperature limited to the Curie temperature (around 540 K)Soft magnetic core A solenoid induced a magnetic field in a 87) Lowpower consumption 92) Complex fabrication 98) IJ01, IJ05, IJ08,electro-magnetic soft magnetic core or yoke fabricated 88) Many inktypes can be 93) Materials not usually present in a IJ10 from a ferrousmaterial such as used CMOS fab such as NiFe, CoNiFe, or CoFe 99) IJ12,IJ14, IJ15, electroplated iron alloys such as CoNiFe 89) Fast operationare required IJ17 [1], CoFe, or NiFe alloys. Typically, the 90) Highefficiency 94) High local currents required soft magnetic material is intwo parts, 91) Easy extension from 95) Copper metalization should beused which are normally held apart by a single nozzles to pagewidth forlong electromigration lifetime and low spring. When the solenoid isactuated, print heads resistivity the two parts attract, displacing theink. 96) Electroplating is required 97) High saturation flux density isrequired (2.0-2.1 T is achievable with CoNiFe [1]) Magnetic The Lorenzforce acting on a current 100) Low power consumption 105) Force acts asa twisting motion 110) IJ06, IJ11, IJ13, Lorenz force carrying wire in amagnetic field is 101) Many ink types can be 106) Typically, only aquarter of the IJ16 utilized. used solenoid length provides force in auseful This allows the magnetic field to be 102) Fast operationdirection supplied externally to the print head, for 103) Highefficiency 107) High local currents required example with rare earthpermanent 104) Easy extension from 108) Copper metalization should beused magnets. single nozzles to pagewidth for long electromigrationlifetime and low Only the current carrying wire need be print headsresistivity fabricated on the print-head, simplifying 109) Pigmentedinks are usually infeasible materials requirements. Magneto-strictionThe actuator uses the giant 111) Many ink types can be 115) Force actsas a twisting motion 120) Fischenbeck, U.S. Pat. No. magnetostrictiveeffect of materials such used 116) Unusual materials such as Terfenol-D4,032,929 as Terfenol-D (an alloy of terbium, 112) Fast operation arerequired 121) IJ25 dysprosium and iron developed at the 113) Easyextension from 117) High local currents required Naval OrdnanceLaboratory, hence Ter- single nozzles to pagewidth 118) Coppermetalization should be used Fe-NOL). For best efficiency, the printheads for long electromigration lifetime and low actuator should bepre-stressed to 114) High force is available resistivity approx. 8 MPa.119) Pre-stressing may be required Surface tension Ink under positivepressure is held in a 122) Low power consumption 127) Requiressupplementary force to 130) Silverbrook, EP reduction nozzle by surfacetension. The surface 123) Simple construction effect drop separation0771 658 A2 and tension of the ink is reduced below the 124) No unusualmaterials 128) Requires special ink surfactants related patent bubblethreshold, causing the ink to required in fabrication 129) Speed may belimited by surfactant applications egress from the nozzle. 125) Highefficiency properties 126) Easy extension from single nozzles topagewidth print heads Viscosity The ink viscosity is locally reduced to131) Simple construction 134) Requires supplementary force to 139)Silverbrook, EP reduction select which drops are to be ejected. A 132)No unusual materials effect drop separation 0771 658 A2 and viscosityreduction can be achieved required in fabrication 135) Requires specialink viscosity related patent electrothermally with most inks, but 133)Easy extension from properties applications special inks can beengineered for a single nozzles to pagewidth 136) High speed isdifficult to achieve 100:1 viscosity reduction. print heads 137)Requires oscillating ink pressure 138) A high temperature difference(typically 80 degrees) is required Acoustic An acoustic wave isgenerated and 140) Can operate without a 141) Complex drive circuitry146) 1993 Hadimioglu focussed upon the drop ejection region. nozzleplate 142) Complex fabrication et al, EUP 550,192 143) Low efficiency147) 1993 Elrod et al, 144) Poor control of drop position EUP 572,220145) Poor control of drop volume Thermoelastic An actuator which reliesupon 148) Low power consumption 157) Efficient aqueous operationrequires 160) IJ03, IJ09, IJ17, bend actuator differential thermalexpansion upon 149) Many ink types can be a thermal insulator on the hotside IJ18 Joule heating is used. used 158) Corrosion prevention can bedifficult 161) IJ19, IJ20, IJ21, 150) Simple planar fabrication 159)Pigmented inks may be infeasible, as IJ22 151) Small integrated circuitpigment particles may jam the bend 162) IJ23, IJ24, IJ27, area requiredfor each actuator actuator IJ28 152) Fast operation 163) IJ29, IJ30,IJ31, 153) High efficiency IJ32 154) CMOS compatible 164) IJ33, IJ34,IJ35, voltages and currents IJ36 155) Standard MEMS 165) IJ37, IJ38,IJ39, processes can be used IJ40 156) Easy extension from 166) IJ41single nozzles to pagewidth print heads High CTE A material with a veryhigh coefficient of 167) High force can be 177) Requires specialmaterial (e.g. PTFE) 181) IJ09, IJ17, IJ18, thermoelastic thermalexpansion (CTE) such as generated 178) Requires a PTFE depositionprocess, IJ20 actuator polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is used. 168) PTFEis a candidate for which is not yet standard in ULSI fabs 182) IJ21,IJ22, IJ23, As high CTE materials are usually non- low dielectricconstant 179) PTFE deposition cannot be followed IJ24 conductive, aheater fabricated from a insulation in ULSI with high temperature (above350° C.) 183) IJ27, IJ28, IJ29, conductive material is incorporated. A50 μm 169) Very low power processing IJ30 long PTFE bend actuator withconsumption 180) Pigmented inks may be infeasible, as 184) IJ31, IJ42,IJ43, polysilicon heater and 15 mW power 170) Many ink types can bepigment particles may jam the bend IJ44 input can provide 180 μN forceand 10 μm used actuator deflection. Actuator motions include: 171)Simple planar fabrication Bend 172) Small integrated circuit Push arearequired for each actuator Buckle 173) Fast operation Rotate 174) Highefficiency 175) CMOS compatible voltages and currents 176) Easyextension from single nozzles to pagewidth print heads Conductive Apolymer with a high coefficient of 185) High force can be 194) Requiresspecial materials 199) IJ24 polymer thermal expansion (such as PTFE) isgenerated development (High CTE conductive thermoelastic doped withconducting substances to 186) Very low power polymer) actuator increaseits conductivity to about 3 consumption 195) Requires a PTFE depositionprocess, orders of magnitude below that of 187) Many ink types can bewhich is not yet standard in ULSI fabs copper. The conducting polymerexpands used 196) PTFE deposition cannot be followed when resistivelyheated. 188) Simple planar fabrication with high temperature (above 350°C.) Examples of conducting dopants include: 189) Small integratedcircuit processing Carbon nanotubes area required for each actuator 197)Evaporation and CVD deposition Metal fibers 190) Fast operationtechniques cannot be used Conductive polymers such as doped 191) Highefficiency 198) Pigmented inks may be infeasible, as polythiophene 192)CMOS compatible pigment particles may jam the bend Carbon granulesvoltages and currents actuator 193) Easy extension from single nozzlesto pagewidth print heads Shape memory A shape memory alloy such as TiNi(also 200) High force is available 206) Fatigue limits maximum number of213) IJ26 alloy known as Nitinol—Nickel Titanium alloy (stresses ofhundreds of MPa) cycles developed at the Naval Ordnance 201) Largestrain is available 207) Low strain (1%) is required to extendLaboratory) is thermally switched (more than 3%) fatigue resistancebetween its weak martensitic state and its 202) High corrosion 208)Cycle rate limited by heat removal high stiffness austenic state. Theshape of resistance 209) Requires unusual materials (TiNi) the actuatorin its martensitic state is 203) Simple construction 210) The latentheat of transformation deformed relative to the austenic shape. 204)Easy extension from must be provided The shape change causes ejection ofa single nozzles to pagewidth 211) High current operation drop. printheads 212) Requires pre-stressing to distort the 205) Low voltageoperation martensitic state Linear Magnetic Linear magnetic actuatorsinclude the 214) Linear Magnetic 218) Requires unusual semiconductor222) IJ12 Actuator Linear Induction Actuator (LIA), Linear actuators canbe constructed materials such as soft magnetic alloys (e.g. PermanentMagnet Synchronous with high thrust, long travel, CoNiFe [1]) Actuator(LPMSA), Linear Reluctance and high efficiency using 219) Some varietiesalso require Synchronous Actuator (LRSA), Linear planar semiconductorpermanent magnetic materials such as Switched Reluctance Actuator(LSRA), fabrication techniques Neodymium iron boron (NdFeB) and theLinear Stepper Actuator (LSA). 215) Long actuator travel is 220)Requires complex multi-phase drive available circuitry 216) Medium forceis 221) High current operation available 217) Low voltage operation

BASIC OPERATION MODE Operational mode Description AdvantagesDisadvantages Examples Actuator directly pushes ink This is the simplestmode of operation: 223) Simple operation 227) Drop repetition rate isusually limited 230) Thermal inkjet the actuator directly suppliessufficient 224) No external fields to less than 10 KHz. However, this isnot 231) Piezoelectric inkjet kinetic energy to expel the drop. Therequired fundamental to the method, but is related to 232) IJ01, IJ02,IJ03, IJ04 drop must have a sufficient velocity to overcome 225)Satellite drops can be the refill method normally used 233) IJ05, IJ06,IJ07, IJ09 the surface tension. avoided if drop velocity is less 228)All of the drop kinetic energy must 234) IJ11, IJ12, IJ14, IJ16 than 4m/s be provided by the actuator 235) IJ20, IJ22, IJ23, IJ24 226) Can beefficient, 229) Satellite drops usually form if drop 236) IJ25, IJ26,IJ27, IJ28 depending upon the actuator velocity is greater than 4.5 m/s237) IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32 used 238) IJ33, IJ34, IJ35, IJ36 239) IJ37,IJ38, IJ39, IJ40 240) IJ41, IJ42, IJ43, IJ44 Proximity The drops to beprinted are selected by 241) Very simple print head 243) Requires closeproximity between the 246) Silverbrook, EP some manner (e.g. thermallyinduced fabrication can be used print head and the print media ortransfer 0771 658 A2 and surface tension reduction of pressurized 242)The drop selection roller related patent ink). Selected drops areseparated from means does not need to 244) May require two print headsprinting applications the ink in the nozzle by contact with the providethe energy required to alternate rows of the image print medium or atransfer roller. separate the drop from the 245) Monolithic color printheads are nozzle difficult Electrostatic pull on ink The drops to beprinted are selected by 247) Very simple print head 249) Requires veryhigh electrostatic field 252) Silverbrook, EP some manner (e.g.thermally induced fabrication can be used 250) Electrostatic field forsmall nozzle 0771 658 A2 and surface tension reduction of pressurized248) The drop selection sizes is above air breakdown related patentink). Selected drops are separated from means does not need to 251)Electrostatic field may attract dust applications the ink in the nozzleby a strong electric provide the energy required to 253) Tone-Jet field.separate the drop from the nozzle Magnetic pull on ink The drops to beprinted are selected by 254) Very simple print head 256) Requiresmagnetic ink 259) Silverbrook, EP some manner (e.g. thermally inducedfabrication can be used 257) Ink colors other than black are 0771 658 A2and surface tension reduction of pressurized 255) The drop selectiondifficult related patent ink). Selected drops are separated from meansdoes not need to 258) Requires very high magnetic fields applicationsthe ink in the nozzle by a strong provide the energy required tomagnetic field acting on the magnetic separate the drop from the ink.nozzle Shutter The actuator moves a shutter to block ink 260) High speed(>50 KHz) 263) Moving parts are required 267) IJ13, IJ17, IJ21 flow tothe nozzle. The ink pressure is operation can be achieved due 264)Requires ink pressure modulator pulsed at a multiple of the dropejection to reduced refill time 265) Friction and wear must beconsidered frequency. 261) Drop timing can be very 266) Stiction ispossible accurate 262) The actuator energy can be very low Shutteredgrill The actuator moves a shutter to block ink 268) Actuators withsmall 271) Moving parts are required 275) IJ08, IJ15, IJ18, IJ19 flowthough a grill to the nozzle. The travel can be used 272) Requires inkpressure modulator shutter movement need only be equal to 269) Actuatorswith small 273) Friction and wear must be considered the width of thegrill holes. force can be used 274) Stiction is possible 270) High speed(>50 KHz) operation can be achieved Pulsed magnetic pull on ink pusher Apulsed magnetic field attracts an ‘ink 276) Extremely low energy 278)Requires an external pulsed magnetic 281) IJ10 pusher’ at the dropejection frequency. operation is possible field An actuator controls acatch, which 277) No heat dissipation 279) Requires special materialsfor both prevents the ink pusher from moving problems the actuator andthe ink pusher when a drop is not to be ejected. 280) Complexconstruction

AUXILIARY MECHANISM (APPLIED TO ALL NOZZLES) Auxiliary MechanismDescription Advantages Disadvantages Examples None The actuator directlyfiles the ink drop, 282) Simplicity of 285) Drop ejection energy must be286) Most inkjets, and there is no external field or other constructionsupplied by individual nozzle actuator including piezoelectric mechanismrequired. 283) Simplicity of operation and thermal bubble. 284) Smallphysical size 287) IJ01-IJ07, IJ09, IJ11 288) IJ12, IJ14, IJ20, IJ22289) IJ23-IJ45 Oscillating ink pressure The ink pressure oscillates,providing 290) Oscillating ink pressure 293) Requires external inkpressure 296) Silverbrook, EP (including acoustic stimulation) much ofthe drop ejection energy. The can provide a refill pulse, oscillator0771 658 A2 and actuator selects which drops are to be allowing higheroperating 294) Ink pressure phase and amplitude related patent fired byselectively blocking or enabling speed must be carefully controlledapplications nozzles. The ink pressure oscillation may 291) Theactuators may 295) Acoustic reflections in the ink 297) IJ08, IJ13,IJ15, IJ17 be achieved by vibrating the print head, operate with muchlower chamber must be designed for 298) IJ18, IJ19, IJ21 or preferablyby an actuator in the ink supply. energy 292) Acoustic lenses can beused to focus the sound on the nozzles Media proximity The print head isplaced in close 299) Low power 302) Precision assembly required 305)Silverbrook, EP proximity to the print medium. Selected 300) Highaccuracy 303) Paper fibers may cause problems 0771 658 A2 and dropsprotrude from the print head 301) Simple print head 304) Cannot print onrough substrates related patent further than unselected drops, andconstruction applications contact the print medium. The drop soaks intothe medium fast enough to cause drop separation. Transfer roller Dropsare printed to a transfer roller 306) High accuracy 309) Bulky 312)Silverbrook, EP instead of straight to the print medium. A 307) Widerange of print 310) Expensive 0771 658 A2 and transfer roller can alsobe used for substrates can be used 311) Complex construction relatedpatent proximity drop separation. 308) Ink can be dried on theapplications transfer roller 313) Tektronix hot melt piezoelectricinkjet 314) Any of the IJ series Electrostatic An electric field is usedto accelerate 315) Low power 317) Field strength required for separation318) Silverbrook, EP selected drops towards the print medium. 316)Simple print head of small drops is near or above air 0771 658 A2 andconstruction breakdown related patent applications 319) Tone-Jet Directmagnetic A magnetic field is used to accelerate 320) Low power 322)Requires magnetic ink 324) Silverbrook, EP field selected drops ofmagnetic ink towards 321) Simple print head 323) Requires strongmagnetic field 0771 658 A2 and the print medium. construction relatedpatent applications Cross magnetic The print head is placed in aconstant 325) Does not require 326) Requires external magnet 328) IJ06,IJ16 field magnetic field. The Lorenz force in a magnetic materials tobe 327) Current densities may be high, current carrying wire is used tomove the actuator. integrated in the print head resulting inelectromigration problems manufacturing process Pulsed magnetic A pulsedmagnetic field is used to 329) Very low power 331) Complex print headconstruction 333) IJ10 field cyclically attract a paddle, which pushesoperation is possible 332) Magnetic materials required in print on theink. A small actuator moves a 330) Small print head size head catch,which selectively prevents the paddle from moving.

ACTUATOR AMPLIFICATION OR MODIFICATION METHOD Actuator amplificationDescription Advantages Disadvantages Examples None No actuatormechanical amplification is 334) Operational simplicity 335) Manyactuator mechanisms have 336) Thermal Bubble used. The actuator directlydrives the insufficient travel, or insufficient force, to Inkjet dropejection process. efficiently drive the drop ejection process 337) IJ01,IJ02, IJ06, IJ07 338) IJ16, IJ25, IJ26 Differential expansion bend Anactuator material expands more on 339) Provides greater travel in 341)High stresses are involved 344) Piezoelectric actuator one side than onthe other. The a reduced print head area 342) Care must be taken thatthe materials 345) IJ03, IJ09, IJ17-IJ24 expansion may be thermal,piezoelectric, 340) The bend actuator do not delaminatemagnetostrictive, or other mechanism. converts a high force low 343)Residual bend resulting from high 346) IJ27, IJ29-IJ39, IJ42, travelactuator mechanism to temperature or high stress during formation 347)IJ43, IJ44 high travel, lower force mechanism. Transient bend actuator Atrilayer bend actuator where the two 348) Very good temperature 351)High stresses are involved 353) IJ40, IJ41 outside layers are identical.This cancels stability 352) Care must be taken that the materials benddue to ambient temperature and 349) High speed, as a new do notdelaminate residual stress. The actuator only drop can be fired beforeheat responds to transient heating of one side dissipates or the other.350) Cancels residual stress of formation Actuator stack A series ofthin actuators are stacked. 354) Increased travel 356) Increasedfabrication complexity 358) Some This can be appropriate where actuators355) Reduced drive voltage 357) Increased possibility of short circuitspiezoelectric ink jets require high electric field strength, such due topinholes 359) IJ04 as electrostatic and piezoelectric actuators.Multiple actuators Multiple smaller actuators are used 360) Increasesthe force 362) Actuator forces may not add linearly, 363) IJ12, IJ13,IJ18, simultaneously to move the ink. Each available from an actuatorreducing efficiency IJ20 actuator need provide only a portion of 361)Multiple actuators can be 364) IJ22, IJ28, IJ42, IJ43 the forcerequired. positioned to control ink flow accurately Linear Spring Alinear spring is used to transform a 365) Matches low travel 367)Requires print head area for the 368) IJ15 motion with small travel andhigh force actuator with higher travel spring into a longer travel,lower force motion. requirements 366) Non-contact method of motiontransformation Reverse spring The actuator loads a spring. When the 369)Better coupling to the 370) Fabrication complexity 372) IJ05, IJ11actuator is turned off, the spring releases. ink 371) High stress in thespring This can reverse the force/distance curve of the actuator to makeit compatible with the force/time requirements of the drop ejection.Coiled actuator A bend actuator is coiled to provide 373) Increasestravel 376) Generally restricted to planar 377) IJ17, IJ21, IJ34, IJ35greater travel in a reduced integrated 374) Reduces integratedimplementations due to extreme fabrication circuit area. circuit areadifficulty in other orientations. 375) Planar implementations arerelatively easy to fabricate. Flexure bend A bend actuator has a smallregion near 378) Simple means of 379) Care must be taken not to exceedthe 382) IJ10, IJ19, IJ33 actuator the fixture point, which flexes muchincreasing travel of a bend elastic limit in the flexure area morereadily than the remainder of the actuator 380) Stress distribution isvery uneven actuator. The actuator flexing is 381) Difficult toaccurately model with effectively converted from an even finite elementanalysis coiling to an angular bend, resulting in greater travel of theactuator tip. Gears Gears can be used to increase travel at 383) Lowforce, low travel 385) Moving pans are required 390) IJ13 the expense ofduration. Circular gears, actuators can be used 386) Several actuatorcycles are required rack and pinion, ratchets, and other 384) Can befabricated using 387) More complex drive electronics gearing methods canbe used. standard surface MEMS 388) Complex construction processes 389)Friction, friction, and wear are possible Catch The actuator controls asmall catch. The 391) Very low actuator energy 393) Complex construction396) IJ10 catch either enables or disables 392) Very small actuator size394) Requires external force movement of an ink pusher that is 395)Unsuitable for pigmented inks controlled in a bulk manner. Buckle plateA buckle plate can be used to change a 397) Very fast movement 398) Muststay within elastic limits of the 401) S. Hirata et al, slow actuatorinto a fast motion. It can achievable materials for long device life “AnInk-jet Head . . . ”, also convert a high force, low travel 399) Highstresses involved Proc. IEEE MEMS, actuator into a high travel, mediumforce 400) Generally high power requirement February 1996, pp 418-423.motion. 402) IJ18, IJ27 Tapered magnetic A tapered magnetic pole canincrease 403) Linearizes the magnetic 404) Complex construction 405)IJ14 pole travel at the expense of force. force/distance curve Lever Alever and fulcrum is used to transform 406) Matches low travel 408) Highstress around the fulcrum 409) IJ32, IJ36, IJ37 a motion with smalltravel and high force actuator with higher travel into a motion withlonger travel and requirements lower force. The lever can also reverse407) Fulcrum area has no the direction of travel. linear movement, andcan be used for a fluid seal Rotary impeller The actuator is connectedto a rotary 410) High mechanical 412) Complex construction 414) IJ28impeller. A small angular deflection of advantage 413) Unsuitable forpigmented inks the actuator results in a rotation of the 411) The ratioof force to impeller vanes, which push the ink travel of the actuatorcan be against stationary vanes and out of the matched to the nozzlenozzle. requirements by varying the number of impeller vanes Acousticlens A refractive or diffractive (e.g. zone 415) No moving parts 416)Large area required 418) 1993 Hadimioglu et al, plate) acoustic lens isused to concentrate 417) Only relevant for acoustic ink jets EUP 550,192 sound waves. 419) 1993 Elrod et al, EUP 572, 220 Sharp conductive Asharp point is used to concentrate an 420) Simple construction 421)Difficult to fabricate using standard 423) Tone-jet point electrostaticfield. VLSI processes for a surface ejecting ink- jet 422) Only relevantfor electrostatic ink jets

ACTUATOR MOTION Actuator motion Description Advantages DisadvantagesExamples Volume expansion The volume of the actuator changes, 424)Simple construction in 425) High energy is typically required to 426)Hewlett-Packard pushing the ink in all directions. the case of thermalink jet achieve volume expansion. This leads to Thermal Inkjet thermalstress, cavitation, and kogation in 427) Canon Bubblejet thermal ink jetimplementations Linear, normal to integrated The actuator moves in adirection normal 428) Efficient coupling to ink 429) High fabricationcomplexity may be 430) IJ01, IJ02, IJ04, IJ07 circuit surface to theprint head surface. The nozzle is drops ejected normal to the requiredto achieve perpendicular motion 431) IJ11, IJ14 typically in the line ofmovement. surface Linear, parallel to The actuator moves parallel to theprint 432) Suitable for planar 433) Fabrication complexity 436) IJ12,IJ13, IJ15, IJ33, integrated circuit surface head surface. Drop ejectionmay still be normal fabrication 434) Friction 437) IJ34, IJ35, IJ36 tothe surface. 435) Stiction Membrane push An actuator with a high forcebut small 438) The effective area of the 439) Fabrication complexity442) 1982 Howkins area is used to push a stiff membrane that actuatorbecomes the 440) Actuator size U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,601 is in contactwith the ink. membrane area 441) Difficulty of integration in a VLSIprocess Rotary The actuator causes the rotation of some 443) Rotarylevers may be 445) Device complexity 447) IJ05, IJ08, IJ13, IJ28element, such a grill or impeller used to increase travel 446) May havefriction at a pivot point 444) Small integrated circuit arearequirements Bend The actuator bends when energized. This 448) A verysmall change in 449) Requires the actuator to be made 450) 1970 Kyser etal may be due to differential thermal dimensions can be converted tofrom at least two distinct layers, or to have U.S. Pat. No. 3,946,398expansion, piezoelectric expansion, a large motion. a thermal differenceacross the actuator 451) 1973 Stemme magnetostriction, or other form ofU.S. Pat. No. 3,747,120 relative dimensional change. 452) IJ03, IJ09,IJ10, IJ19 453) IJ23, IJ24, IJ25, IJ29 454) IJ30, IJ31, IJ33, IJ34 455)IJ35 Swivel The actuator swivels around a central 456) Allows operationwhere 458) Inefficient coupling to the ink motion 459) IJ06 pivot. Thismotion is suitable where there the net linear force on the are oppositeforces applied to opposite paddle is zero sides of the paddle, e.g.Lorenz force. 457) Small integrated circuit area requirements StraightenThe actuator is normally bent, and 460) Can be used with shape 461)Requires careful balance of stresses 462) IJ26, IJ32 straightens whenenergized. memory alloys where the to ensue that the quiescent bend isaustenic phase is planar accurate Double bend The actuator bends in onedirection when 463) One actuator can be used 466) Difficult to make thedrops ejected by 468) IJ36, IJ37, IJ38 one element is energized, andbends the to power two nozzles, both bend directions identical. otherway when another element is 464) Reduced integrated 467) A smallefficiency loss compared to energized. circuit size. equivalent singlebend actuators. 465) Not sensitive to ambient temperature ShearEnergizing the actuator causes a shear 469) Can increase the 470) Notreadily applicable to other 471) 1985 Fishbeck motion in the actuatormaterial. effective travel of piezoelectric actuator mechanisms U.S.Pat. No. 4,584,590 actuators Radial The actuator squeezes an inkreservoir, 472) Relatively easy to 473) High force required 476) 1970Zoltan U.S. Pat. No. constriction forcing ink from a constricted nozzle.fabricate single nozzles from 474) Inefficient 3,683,212 glass tubing asmacroscopic 475) Difficult to integrate with VLSI structures processesCoil/uncoil A coiled actuator uncoils or coils more 477) Easy tofabricate as a 479) Difficult to fabricate for non-planar 481) IJ17,IJ21, IJ34, IJ35 tightly. The motion of the free end of the planar VLSIprocess devices actuator ejects the ink. 478) Small area required, 480)Poor out-of-plane stiffness therefore low cost Bow The actuator bows (orbuckles) in the 482) Can increase the speed 484) Maximum travel isconstrained 486) IJ16, IJ18, IJ27 middle when energized. of travel 485)High force required 483) Mechanically rigid Push-Pull Two actuatorscontrol a shutter. One 487) The structure is pinned at 488) Not readilysuitable for inkjets which 489) IJ18 actuator pulls the shutter, and theother both ends, so has a high out-of- directly push the ink pushes it.plane rigidity Curl inwards A set of actuators curl inwards to reduce490) Good fluid flow to the 491) Design complexity 492) IJ20, IJ42 thevolume of ink that they enclose. region behind the actuator increasesefficiency Curl outwards A set of actuators curl outwards, 493)Relatively simple 494) Relatively large integrated circuit 495) IJ43pressurizing ink in a chamber construction area surrounding theactuators, and expelling ink from a nozzle in the chamber. Iris Multiplevanes enclose a volume of ink. 496) High efficiency 498) Highfabrication complexity 500) IJ22 These simultaneously rotate, reducing497) Small integrated circuit 499) Not suitable for pigmented inks thevolume between the vanes. area Acoustic vibration The actuator vibratesat a high frequency. 501) The actuator can be 502) Large area requiredfor efficient 506) 1993 Hadimioglu et al, physically distant from theink operation at useful frequencies EUP 550,192 503) Acoustic couplingand crosstalk 507) 1993 Elrod et al, 504) Complex drive circuitry EUP572,220 505) Poor control of drop volume and position None In variousink jet designs the actuator 508) No moving parts 509) Various othertradeoffs are required 510) Silverbrook, does not move. to eliminatemoving parts EP 0771 658 A2 and related patent applications 511)Tone-jet

NOZZLE REFILL METHOD Nozzle refill method Description AdvantagesDisadvantages Examples Surface After the actuator is energized, it 512)Fabrication simplicity 514) Low speed 517) Thermal inkjet tensiontypically returns rapidly to its normal 513) Operational simplicity 515)Surface tension force relatively 518) Piezoelectric position. This rapidreturn sucks in air small compared to actuator force inkjet though thenozzle opening. The ink 516) Long refill time usually 519) IJ01-IJ07,surface tension at the nozzle then exerts a dominates the totalrepetition IJ10-IJ14 small force restoring the meniscus to a rate 520)IJ16, IJ20, minimum area. IJ22-IJ45 Shuttered Ink to the nozzle chamberis provided at 521) High speed 523) Requires common ink pressure 525)IJ08, IJ13, oscillating a pressure that oscillates at twice the 522) Lowactuator energy, oscillator IJ15, IJ17 ink drop ejection frequency. Whena drop is as the actuator need 524) May not be suitable for 526) IJ18,IJ19, IJ21 pressure to be ejected, the shutter is opened for 3 only openor close the pigmented inks half cycles: drop ejection, actuatorshutter, instead of return, and refill. ejecting the ink drop RefillAfter the main actuator has ejected a 527) High speed, as the 528)Requires two independent 529) IJ09 actuator drop a second (refill)actuator is nozzle is actively actuators per nozzle energized. Therefill actuator pushes ink refilled into the nozzle chamber. The refillactuator returns slowly, to prevent its return from emptying the chamberagain. Positive The ink is held a slight positive pressure. 530) Highrefill rate, 531) Surface spill must be prevented 533) Silverbrook, inkAfter the ink drop is ejected, the nozzle therefore a high drop 532)Highly hydrophobic print head EP 0771 658 pressure chamber fills quicklyas surface tension repetition rate is surfaces are required A2 andrelated and ink pressure both operate to refill the possible patentnozzle. applications 534) Alternative for: 535) IJ01-IJ07, IJ10-IJ14536) IJ16, IJ20, IJ22-IJ45

METHOD OF RESTRICTING BACK-FLOW THROUGH INLET Inlet back-flowrestriction method Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Longinlet channel The ink inlet channel to the nozzle 537) Design simplicity540) Restricts refill rate 543) Thermal inkjet chamber is made long andrelatively 538) Operational simplicity 541) May result in a relativelylarge 544) Piezoelectric inkjet narrow, relying on viscous drag toreduce 539) Reduces crosstalk integrated circuit area 545) IJ42, IJ43inlet back-flow. 542) Only partially effective Positive ink The ink isunder a positive pressure, so 546) Drop selection and 548) Requires amethod (such as a nozzle 549) Silverbrook, pressure that in thequiescent state some of the ink separation forces can be rim oreffective hydrophobizing, or both) to EP 0771 658 A2 and drop alreadyprotrudes from the nozzle. reduced prevent flooding of the ejectionsurface of the print related patent This reduces the pressure in thenozzle 547) Fast refill time head. applications chamber which isrequired to eject a 550) Possible operation certain volume of ink. Thereduction in of the following: chamber pressure results in a reduction551) IJ01-IJ07, IJ09-IJ12 in ink pushed out through the inlet. 552)IJ14, IJ16, IJ20, IJ22, 553) IJ23-IJ34, IJ36-IJ41 554) IJ44 Baffle Oneor more baffles are placed in the 555) The refill rate is not as 557)Design complexity 559) HP Thermal Ink Jet inlet ink flow. When theactuator is restricted as the long inlet 558) May increase fabricationcomplexity energized, the rapid ink movement method. (e.g. Tektronix hotmelt Piezoelectric print heads). 560) Tektronix creates eddies whichrestrict the flow 556) Reduces crosstalk piezoelectric ink jet throughthe inlet. The slower refill process is unrestricted, and does notresult in eddies. Flexible flap In this method recently disclosed by561) Significantly reduces 562) Not applicable to most inkjet 565) Canonrestricts inlet Canon, the expanding actuator (bubble) back-flow foredge-shooter configurations pushes on a flexible flap that restricts theinlet. thermal ink jet devices 563) Increased fabrication complexity564) Inelastic deformation of polymer flap results in creep overextended use Inlet filter A filter is located between the ink inlet 566)Additional advantage of 568) Restricts refill rate 570) IJ04, IJ12,IJ24, IJ27 and the nozzle chamber. The filter has a ink filtration 569)May result in complex construction 571) IJ29, IJ30 multitude of smallholes or slots, 567) Ink filter may be restricting ink flow. The filteralso fabricated with no additional removes particles which may block thenozzle. process steps Small inlet The ink inlet channel to the nozzle572) Design simplicity 573) Restricts refill rate 576) IJ02, IJ37, IJ44compared to chamber has a substantially smaller cross 574) May result ina relatively large nozzle section than that of the nozzle, resultingintegrated circuit area in easier ink egress out of the nozzle than 575)Only partially effective out of the inlet. Inlet shutter A secondaryactuator controls the 577) Increases speed of the 578) Requires separaterefill actuator and 579) IJ09 position of a shutter, closing off the inkink-jet print head operation drive circuit inlet when the main actuatoris energized. The inlet is The method avoids the problem of inlet 580)Back-flow problem is 581) Requires careful design to minimize 582) IJ01,IJ03, 1J05, IJ06 located behind the back-flow by arranging theink-pushing eliminated the negative pressure behind the paddle 583)IJ07, IJ10, IJ11, IJ14 ink-pushing surface of the actuator between theinlet 584) IJ16, IJ22, IJ23, IJ25 surface and the nozzle. 585) IJ28,IJ31, IJ32, IJ33 586) IJ34, IJ35, IJ36, IJ39 587) IJ40, IJ41 Part of theThe actuator and a wall of the ink 588) Significant reductions in 590)Small increase in fabrication 591) IJ07, IJ20, IJ26, IJ38 actuator movesto chamber are arranged so that the motion back-flow can be achievedcomplexity shut off the inlet of the actuator closes off the inlet. 589)Compact designs possible Nozzle actuator In some configurations of inkjet, there is 592) Ink back-flow problem is eliminated 593) None relatedto ink back-flow on 594) Silverbrook, EP does not result in no expansionor movement of an actuator actuation 0771 658 A2 and ink back-flow whichmay cause ink back-flow through the inlet. related patent applications595) Valve-jet 596) Tone-jet 597) IJ08, IJ13, IJ15, IJ17 598) IJ18,IJ19, IJ21

NOZZLE CLEARING METHOD Nozzle Clearing method Description AdvantagesDisadvantages Examples Normal nozzle All of the nozzles are firedperiodically, 599) No added complexity on the print 600) May not besufficient to displace dried ink 601) Most ink jet firing before the inkhas a chance to dry. When head systems not in use the nozzles are sealed(capped) 602) IJ01-IJ07, IJ09-IJ12 against air. 603) IJ14, IJ16, IJ20,IJ22 The nozzle firing is usually performed 604) IJ23-IJ34, IJ36-IJ45during a special clearing cycle, after first moving the print head to acleaning station. Extra power to In systems which heat the ink, but donot 605) Can be highly effective 606) Requires higher drive voltage for608) Silverbrook, EP ink heater boil it under normal situations, nozzleif the heater is adjacent to the nozzle clearing 0771 658 A2 andclearing can be achieved by over- 607) May require larger drivetransistors related patent powering the heater and boiling ink at thenozzle. applications Rapid succession The actuator is fired in rapidsuccession. 609) Does not require extra 611) Effectiveness dependssubstantially 612) May be used with: of actuator pulses In someconfigurations, this may cause drive circuits on the print head upon theconfiguration of the inkjet nozzle 613) IJ01-IJ07, IJ09-IJ11 heatbuild-up at the nozzle which boils 610) Can be readily controlled 614)IJ14, IJ16, IJ20, IJ22 the ink, clearing the nozzle. In other andinitiated by digital logic 615) IJ23-IJ25, IJ27-IJ34 situations, it maycause sufficient 616) IJ36-IJ45 vibrations to dislodge clogged nozzles.Extra power to Where an actuator is not normally driven 617) A simplesolution where applicable 618) Not suitable where there is a hard 619)May be used with: ink pushing to the limit of its motion, nozzleclearing limit to actuator movement 620) IJ03, IJ09, IJ16, IJ20 actuatormay be assisted by providing an 621) IJ23, IJ24, IJ25, IJ27 enhanceddrive signal to the actuator. 622) IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32 623) IJ39,IJ40, IJ41, IJ42 624) IJ43, IJ44, IJ45 Acoustic An ultrasonic wave isapplied to the ink 625) A high nozzle clearing 627) High implementationcost if system 628) IJ08, IJ13, IJ15, IJ17 resonance chamber. This waveis of an appropriate capability can be achieved does not already includean acoustic actuator 629) IJ18, IJ19, IJ21 amplitude and frequency tocause 626) May be implemented at sufficient force at the nozzle to clearvery low cost in systems which blockages. This is easiest to achieve ifalready include acoustic the ultrasonic wave is at a resonant actuatorsfrequency of the ink cavity. Nozzle clearing A microfabricated plate ispushed against 630) Can clear severely 631) Accurate mechanicalalignment is 635) Silverbrook, EP plate the nozzles. The plate has apost for clogged nozzles required 0771 658 A2 and every nozzle. Thearray of posts 632) Moving parts are required related patent 633) Thereis risk of damage to the applications nozzles 634) Accurate fabricationis required Ink pressure pulse The pressure of the ink is temporarily636) May be effective where 637) Requires pressure pump or other 640)May be used with increased so that ink streams from all of other methodscannot be used pressure actuator all IJ series ink jets the nozzles.This may be used in 638) Expensive conjunction with actuator energizing.639) Wasteful of ink Print head wiper A flexible ‘blade’ is wiped acrossthe 641) Effective for planar print 643) Difficult to use if print headsurface 646) Many ink jet print head surface. The blade is usually headsurfaces is non-planar or very fragile systems fabricated from aflexible polymer, e.g. 642) Low cost 644) Requires mechanical partsrubber or synthetic elastomer. 645) Blade can wear out in high volumeprint systems Separate ink A separate heater is provided at the 647) Canbe effective where 649) Fabrication complexity 650) Can be used withboiling heater nozzle although the normal drop e-ection other nozzleclearing methods many IJ series ink jets mechanism does not require it.The cannot be used heaters do not require individual drive 648) Can beimplemented at circuits, as many nozzles can be cleared no additionalcost in some simultaneously, and no imaging is required. inkjetconfigurations

NOZZLE PLATE CONSTRUCTION Nozzle plate construction DescriptionAdvantages Disadvantages Examples Electroformed A nozzle plate isseparately fabricated 651) Fabrication simplicity 652) High temperaturesand pressures are 655) Hewlett Packard nickel from electroformed nickel,and bonded required to bond nozzle plate Thermal Inkjet to the printhead integrated circuit. 653) Minimum thickness constraints 654)Differential thermal expansion Laser ablated or Individual nozzle holesare ablated by an 656) No masks required 660) Each hole must beindividually 664) Canon Bubblejet drilled polymer intense UV laser in anozzle plate, which 657) Can be quite fast formed 665) 1988 Sercel etal., is typically a polymer such as polyimide 658) Some control over661) Special equipment required SPIE, Vol. 998 Excimer or polysulphonenozzle profile is possible 662) Slow where there are many BeamApplications, pp. 659) Equipment required is thousands of nozzles perprint head 76-83 relatively low cost 663) May produce thin burrs at exitholes 666) 1993 Watanabe et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,604 Siliconmicromachined A separate nozzle plate is 667) High accuracy isattainable 668) Two part construction 672) K. Bean, IEEE micromachinedfrom single crystal 669) High cost Transactions on silicon, and bondedto the print head wafer. 670) Requires precision alignment ElectronDevices, Vol. 671) Nozzles may be clogged by adhesive ED-25, No. 10,1978, pp 1185-1195 673) Xerox 1990 Hawkins et al., U.S. Pat. No.4,899,181 Glass capillaries Fine glass capillaries are drawn from 674)No expensive equipment 676) Very small nozzle sizes are difficult 678)1970 Zoltan U.S. Pat. No. glass tubing. This method has been usedrequired to form 3,683,212 for making individual nozzles, but is 675)Simple to make single 677) Not suited for mass production difficult touse for bulk manufacturing of nozzles print heads with thousands ofnozzles. Monolithic, surface The nozzle plate is deposited as a layer679) High accuracy (<1 μm) 683) Requires sacrificial layer under the685) Silverbrook, micromachined using using standard VLSI deposition680) Monolithic nozzle plate to form the nozzle chamber EP 0771 658 A2and VLSI lithographic techniques. Nozzles are etched in the 681) Lowcost 684) Surface may be fragile to the touch related patent processesnozzle plate using VLSI lithography and etching. 682) Existing processescan be used applications 686) IJ01, IJ02, IJ04, IJ11 687) IJ12, IJ17,IJ18, IJ20 688) IJ22, IJ24, IJ27, IJ28 689) IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32 690)IJ33, IJ34, IJ36, IJ37 691) IJ38, IJ39, IJ40, IJ41 692) IJ42, IJ43, IJ44Monolithic, etched The nozzle plate is a buried etch stop in 693) Highaccuracy (<1 μm) 697) Requires long etch times 699) IJ03, IJ05, IJ06,IJ07 through substrate the wafer. Nozzle chambers are etched in 694)Monolithic 698) Requires a support wafer 700) IJ08, IJ09, IJ10, IJ13 thefront of the wafer, and the wafer is 695) Low cost 701) IJ14, IJ15,IJ16, IJ19 thinned from the back side. Nozzles are 696) No differentialexpansion 702) IJ21, IJ23, IJ25, IJ26 then etched in the etch stoplayer. No nozzle plate Various methods have been tried to 703) Nonozzles to become 704) Difficult to control drop position 706) Ricoh1995 eliminate the nozzles entirely, to prevent clogged accuratelySekiya et al nozzle clogging. These include thermal 705) Crosstalkproblems U.S. Pat. No. 5,412,413 bubble mechanisms and acoustic lens707) 1993 Hadimioglu et al mechanisms EUP 550,192 708) 1993 Elrod et alEUP 572,220 Trough Each drop ejector has a trough through 709) Reducedmanufacturing 711) Drop firing direction is sensitive to wicking. 712)IJ35 which a paddle moves. There is no complexity nozzle plate. 710)Monolithic Nozzle slit instead The elimination of nozzle holes and 713)No nozzles to become clogged 714) Difficult to control drop position716) 1989 Saito et al of individual replacement by a slit encompassingaccurately U.S. Pat. No. 4,799,068 nozzles many actuator positionsreduces nozzle 715) Crosstalk problems clogging, but increases crosstalkdue to ink surface waves

DROP EJECTION DIRECTION Ejection direction Description AdvantagesDisadvantages Examples Edge Ink flow is along the surface of the 717)Simple construction 722) Nozzles limited to edge 725) Canon Bubblejet(‘edge shooter’) integrated circuit, and ink drops are 718) No siliconetching required 723) High resolution is difficult 1979 Endo et alejected from the integrated circuit edge. 719) Good heat sinking viasubstrate 724) Fast color printing requires one print GB patent2,007,162 720) Mechanically strong head per color 726) Xeroxheater-in-pit 721) Ease of integrated circuit handing 1990 Hawkins et alU.S. Pat. No. 4,899,181 727) Tone-jet Surface Ink flow is along thesurface of the 728) No bulk silicon etching 731) Maximum ink flow isseverely 732) Hewlett-Packard (‘roof shooter’) integrated circuit, andink drops are required restricted TIJ 1982 Vaught et al ejected from theintegrated circuit 729) Silicon can make an U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,728surface, normal to the plane of the integrated circuit. effective heatsink 733) IJ02, IJ11, IJ12, IJ20 730) Mechanical strength 734) IJ22Through Ink flow is through the integrated circuit, 735) High ink flow738) Requires bulk silicon etching 739) Silverbrook, EP integratedcircuit, and ink drops are ejected from the front 736) Suitable forpagewidth 0771 658 A2 and forward surface of the integrated circuit.print related patent (‘up shooter’) 737) High nozzle packingapplications density therefore low manufacturing 740) IJ04, IJ17, IJ18,IJ24 cost 741) IJ27-IJ45 Through Ink flow is through the integratedcircuit, 742) High ink flow 745) Requires wafer thinning 747) IJ01,IJ03, IJ05, IJ06 integrated circuit, and ink drops are ejected from therear 743) Suitable for pagewidth print 746) Requires special handlingduring manufacture 748) IJ07, IJ08, IJ09, IJ10 reverse surface of theintegrated circuit. 744) High nozzle packing 749) IJ13, IJ14, IJ15, IJ16(‘down shooter’) density therefore low 750) IJ19, IJ21, IJ23, IJ25manufacturing cost 751) IJ26 Through actuator Ink flow is through theactuator, which is 752) Suitable for piezoelectric 753) Pagewidth printheads require several 756) Epson Stylus not fabricated as part of thesame print heads thousand connections to drive circuits 757) Tektronixhot substrate as the drive transistors. 754) Cannot be manufactured instandard CMOS fabs melt piezoelectric ink 755) Complex assembly requiredjets

INK TYPE Ink type Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Aqueous,dye Water based ink which typically 758) Environmentally friendly 760)Slow drying 765) Most existing inkjets contains: water, dye, surfactant,759) No odor 761) Corrosive 766) All IJ series ink jets humectant, andbiocide. 762) Bleeds on paper 767) Silverbrook, EP Modern ink dyes havehigh water- 763) May strikethrough 0771 658 A2 and related fastness,light fastness 764) Cockles paper patent applications Aqueous, pigmentWater based ink which typically 768) Environmentally friendly 773) Slowdrying 778) IJ02, IJ04, IJ21, contains: water, pigment, surfactant, 769)No odor 774) Corrosive IJ26 humectant, and biocide. 770) Reduced bleed775) Pigment may clog nozzles 779) IJ27, IJ30 Pigments have an advantagein reduced bleed, 771) Reduced wicking 776) Pigment may clog actuator780) Silverbrook, EP wicking and strikethrough. 772) Reducedstrikethrough mechanisms 0771 658 A2 and 777) Cockles paper relatedpatent applications 781) Piezoelectric ink-jets 782) Thermal ink jets(with significant restrictions) Methyl Ethyl MEK is a highly volatilesolvent used for 783) Very fast drying 785) Odorous 787) All IJ seriesink Ketone (MEK) industrial printing on difficult surfaces such as 784)Prints on various 786) Flammable jets aluminum cans. substrates such asmetals and plastics Alcohol Alcohol based inks can be used where 788)Fast drying 792) Slight odor 794) All IJ series ink jets (ethanol, 2-the printer must operate at temperatures 789) Operates at sub-freezing793) Flammable butanol, and others) below the freezing point of water.An temperatures example of this is in-camera consumer 790) Reduced papercockle photographic printing. 791) Low cost Phase change The ink issolid at room temperature, and 795) No drying time-ink 801) Highviscosity 807) Tektronix hot melt (hot melt) is melted in the print headbefore jetting. instantly freezes on the print 802) Printed inktypically has a ‘waxy’ piezoelectric ink jets Hot melt inks are usuallywax based, medium feel 808) 1989 Nowak with a melting point around 80°C. After 796) Almost any print 803) Printed pages may ‘block’ U.S. Pat.No. 4,820,346 jetting the ink freezes almost instantly medium can beused 804) Ink temperature may be above the 809) All IJ series ink jetsupon contacting the print medium or a 797) No paper cockle occurs curiepoint of permanent magnets transfer roller. 798) No wicking occurs 805)Ink heaters consume power 799) No bleed occurs 806) Long warm-up time800) No strikethrough occurs Oil Oil based inks are extensively used in810) High solubility medium 813) High viscosity: this is a significant815) All IJ series ink jets offset printing. They have advantages in forsome dyes limitation for use in inkjets, which usually improvedcharacteristics on paper 811) Does not cockle paper require a lowviscosity. Some short chain (especially no wicking or cockle). Oil 812)Does not wick through paper and multi-branched oils have a sufficientlylow soluble dies and pigments are required. viscosity. 814) Slow dryingMicroemulsion A microemulsion is a stable, self forming 816) Stops inkbleed 820) Viscosity higher than water 823) All IJ series ink jetsemulsion of oil, water, and surfactant. 817) High dye solubility 821)Cost is slightly higher than water based ink The characteristic dropsize is less than 818) Water, oil, and amphiphilic 822) High surfactantconcentration required 100 nm, and is determined by the soluble dies canbe used (around 5%) preferred curvature of the surfactant. 819) Canstabilize pigment suspensionsInk Jet Printing

A large number of new forms of ink jet printers have been developed tofacilitate alternative ink jet technologies for the image processing anddata distribution system. Various combinations of ink jet devices can beincluded in printer devices incorporated as part of the presentinvention. Australian Provisional Patent Applications relating to theseink jets which are specifically incorporated by cross reference. Theserial numbers of respective corresponding U.S. patent applications arealso provided for the sake of convenience.

Australian Provisional U.S. Pat. No./Patent Number Filing Date TitleApplication and Filing Date PO8066 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Methodand Apparatus (IJ01) 6,227,652 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8072 15 Jul. 1997 ImageCreation Method and Apparatus (IJ02) 6,213,588 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8040 15Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ03) 6,213,589 (Jul. 10,1998) PO8071 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ04)6,231,163 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8047 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method andApparatus (IJ05) 6,247,795 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8035 15 Jul. 1997 ImageCreation Method and Apparatus (IJ06) 6,394,581 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8044 15Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ07) 6,244,691 (Jul. 10,1998) PO8063 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ08)6,257,704 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8057 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method andApparatus (IJ09) 6,416,168 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8056 15 Jul. 1997 ImageCreation Method and Apparatus (IJ10) 6,220,694 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8069 15Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ11) 6,257,705 (Jul. 10,1998) PO8049 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ12)6,247,794 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8036 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method andApparatus (IJ13) 6,234,610 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8048 15 Jul. 1997 ImageCreation Method and Apparatus (IJ14) 6,247,793 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8070 15Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ15) 6,264,306 (Jul. 10,1998) PO8067 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ16)6,241,342 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8001 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method andApparatus (IJ17) 6,247,792 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8038 15 Jul. 1997 ImageCreation Method and Apparatus (IJ18) 6,264,307 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8033 15Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ19) 6,254,220 (Jul. 10,1998) PO8002 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ20)6,234,611 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8068 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method andApparatus (IJ21) 6,302,528) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8062 15 Jul. 1997 ImageCreation Method and Apparatus (IJ22) 6,283,582 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8034 15Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ23) 6,239,821 (Jul. 10,1998) PO8039 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ24)6,338,547 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8041 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method andApparatus (IJ25) 6,247,796 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8004 15 Jul. 1997 ImageCreation Method and Apparatus (IJ26) 09/113,122 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO803715 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ27) 6,390,603 (Jul.10, 1998) PO8043 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ28)6,362,843 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8042 15 Jul. 1997 Image Creation Method andApparatus (IJ29) 6,293,653 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8064 15 Jul. 1997 ImageCreation Method and Apparatus (IJ30) 6,312,107 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9389 23Sep. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ31) 6,227,653 (Jul. 10,1998) PO9391 23 Sep. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ32)6,234,609 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0888 12 Dec. 1997 Image Creation Method andApparatus (IJ33) 6,238,040 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0891 12 Dec. 1997 ImageCreation Method and Apparatus (IJ34) 6,188,415 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0890 12Dec. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ35) 6,227,654 (Jul. 10,1998) PP0873 12 Dec. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ36)6,209,989 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0993 12 Dec. 1997 Image Creation Method andApparatus (IJ37) 6,247,791 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0890 12 Dec. 1997 ImageCreation Method and Apparatus (IJ38) 6,336,710 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP1398 19Jan. 1998 An Image Creation Method and Apparatus 6,217,153 (IJ39) (Jul.10, 1998) PP2592 25 Mar. 1998 An Image Creation Method and Apparatus6,416,167 (IJ40) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP2593 25 Mar. 1998 Image CreationMethod and Apparatus (IJ41) 6,243,113 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP3991 9 Jun. 1998Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ42) 6,283,581 (Jul. 10, 1998)PP3987 9 Jun. 1998 Image Creation Method and Apparatus (IJ43) 6,247,790(Jul. 10, 1998) PP3985 9 Jun. 1998 Image Creation Method and Apparatus(IJ44) 6,260,953 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP3983 9 Jun. 1998 Image CreationMethod and Apparatus (IJ45) 6,267,469 (Jul. 10, 1998)Ink Jet Manufacturing

Further, the present application may utilize advanced semiconductorfabrication techniques in the construction of large arrays of ink jetprinters. Suitable manufacturing techniques are described in thefollowing Australian provisional patent specifications incorporated hereby cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding U.S.patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.

Australian Provisional U.S. Pat. No./Patent Number Filing Date TitleApplication and Filing Date PO7935 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufactureof an Image Creation 6,224,780 Apparatus (IJM01) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO793615 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,235,212Apparatus (IJM02) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7937 15 Jul. 1997 A Method ofManufacture of an Image Creation 6,280,643 Apparatus (IJM03) (Jul. 10,1998) PO8061 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation6,284,147 Apparatus (IJM04) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8054 15 Jul. 1997 A Methodof Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,214,244 Apparatus (IJM05) (Jul.10, 1998) PO8065 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an ImageCreation 6,071,750 Apparatus (IJM06) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8055 15 Jul. 1997A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,267,905 Apparatus (IJM07)(Jul. 10, 1998) PO8053 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an ImageCreation 6,251,298 Apparatus (IJM08) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8078 15 Jul. 1997A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,258,285 Apparatus (IJM09)(Jul. 10, 1998) PO7933 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an ImageCreation 6,225,138 Apparatus (IJM10) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7950 15 Jul. 1997A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,241,904 Apparatus (IJM11)(Jul. 10, 1998) PO7949 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an ImageCreation 6,299,786 Apparatus (IJM12) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8060 15 Jul. 1997A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 09/113,124 Apparatus(IJM13) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8059 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture ofan Image Creation 6,231,773 Apparatus (IJM14) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8073 15Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,190,931Apparatus (IJM15) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8076 15 Jul. 1997 A Method ofManufacture of an Image Creation 6,248,249 Apparatus (IJM16) (Jul. 10,1998) PO8075 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation6,290,862 Apparatus (IJM17) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8079 15 Jul. 1997 A Methodof Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,241,906 Apparatus (IJM18) (Jul.10, 1998) PO8050 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an ImageCreation 09/113,116 Apparatus (IJM19) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8052 15 Jul.1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,241,905 Apparatus(IJM20) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7948 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture ofan Image Creation 6,451,216 Apparatus (IJM21) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7951 15Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,231,772Apparatus (IJM22) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8074 15 Jul. 1997 A Method ofManufacture of an Image Creation 6,274,056 Apparatus (IJM23) (Jul. 10,1998) PO7941 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation6,290,861 Apparatus (IJM24) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8077 15 Jul. 1997 A Methodof Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,248,248 Apparatus (IJM25) (Jul.10, 1998) PO8058 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an ImageCreation 6,306,671 Apparatus (IJM26) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8051 15 Jul. 1997A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,331,258 Apparatus (IJM27)(Jul. 10, 1998) PO8045 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an ImageCreation 6,110,754 Apparatus (IJM28) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7952 15 Jul. 1997A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,294,101 Apparatus (IJM29)(Jul. 10, 1998) PO8046 15 Jul. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an ImageCreation 6,416,679 Apparatus (IJM30) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8503 11 Aug. 1997A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,264,849 Apparatus(IJM30a) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9390 23 Sep. 1997 A Method of Manufacture ofan Image Creation 6,254,793 Apparatus (IJM31) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9392 23Sep. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,235,211Apparatus (IJM32) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0889 12 Dec. 1997 A Method ofManufacture of an Image Creation 6,235,211 Apparatus (IJM35) (Jul. 10,1998) PP0887 12 Dec. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation6,264,850 Apparatus (IJM36) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0882 12 Dec. 1997 A Methodof Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,258,284 Apparatus (IJM37) (Jul.10, 1998) PP0874 12 Dec. 1997 A Method of Manufacture of an ImageCreation 6,258,284 Apparatus (IJM38) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP1396 19 Jan. 1998A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,228,668 Apparatus (IJM39)(Jul. 10, 1998) PP2591 25 Mar. 1998 A Method of Manufacture of an ImageCreation 6,180,427 Apparatus (IJM41) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP3989 9 Jun. 1998A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,171,875 Apparatus (IJM40)(Jul. 10, 1998) PP3990 9 Jun. 1998 A Method of Manufacture of an ImageCreation 6,267,904 Apparatus (IJM42) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP3986 9 Jun. 1998A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,245,247 Apparatus (IJM43)(Jul. 10, 1998) PP3984 9 Jun. 1998 A Method of Manufacture of an ImageCreation 6,245,247 Apparatus (IJM44) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP3982 9 Jun. 1998A Method of Manufacture of an Image Creation 6,231,148 Apparatus (IJM45)(Jul. 10, 1998)Fluid Supply

Further, the present application may utilize an ink delivery system tothe ink jet head. Delivery systems relating to the supply of ink to aseries of ink jet nozzles are described in the following Australianprovisional patent specifications, the disclosure of which are herebyincorporated by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respectivecorresponding U.S. patent applications are also provided for the sake ofconvenience.

Australian U.S. Pat. No./Patent Provisional Application and NumberFiling Date Title Filing Date PO8003 15 Jul. 1997 Supply Method and6,350,023 Apparatus (F1) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8005 15 Jul. 1997 SupplyMethod and 6,318,849 Apparatus (F2) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9404 23 Sep. 1997A Device and 09/113,101 Method (F3) (Jul. 10, 1998)MEMS Technology

Further, the present application may utilize advanced semiconductormicroelectromechanical techniques in the construction of large arrays ofink jet printers. Suitable microelectromechanical techniques aredescribed in the following Australian provisional patent specificationsincorporated here by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respectivecorresponding U.S. patent applications are also provided for the sake ofconvenience.

Australian U.S. Pat. No./Patent Provisional Application and NumberFiling Date Title Filing Date PO7943 15 Jul. 1997 A device (MEMS01)PO8006 15 Jul. 1997 A device 6,087,638 (MEMS02) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO800715 Jul. 1997 A device 09/113,093 (MEMS03) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8008 15 Jul.1997 A device 6,340,222 (MEMS04) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8010 15 Jul. 1997 Adevice 6,041,600 (MEMS05) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8011 15 Jul. 1997 A device6,299,300 (MEMS06) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7947 15 Jul. 1997 A device6,067,797 (MEMS07) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7945 15 Jul. 1997 A device09/113,081 (MEMS08) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7944 15 Jul. 1997 A device6,286,935 (MEMS09) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7946 15 Jul. 1997 A device6,044,646 (MEMS10) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9393 23 Sep. 1997 A Device and09/113,065 Method (MEMS11) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0875 12 Dec. 1997 A Device09/113,078 (MEMS12) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0894 12 Dec. 1997 A Device and09/113,075 Method (MEMS13) (Jul. 10, 1998)IR Technologies

Further, the present application may include the utilization of adisposable camera system such as those described in the followingAustralian provisional patent specifications incorporated here bycross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding U.S.patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.

Australian U.S. Pat. No./Patent Provisional Application and NumberFiling Date Title Filing Date PP0895 12 Dec. 1997 An Image CreationMethod and Apparatus 6,231,148 (IR01) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0870 12 Dec.1997 A Device and Method (IR02) 09/113,106 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0869 12Dec. 1997 A Device and Method (IR04) 6,293,658 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0887 12Dec. 1997 Image Creation Method and Apparatus 09/113,104 (IR05) (Jul.10, 1998) PP0885 12 Dec. 1997 An Image Production System (IR06)6,238,033 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0884 12 Dec. 1997 Image Creation Method andApparatus 6,312,070 (IR10) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0886 12 Dec. 1997 ImageCreation Method and Apparatus 6,238,111 (IR12) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0871 12Dec. 1997 A Device and Method (IR13) 09/113,086 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP087612 Dec. 1997 An Image Processing Method and Apparatus 09/113,094 (IR14)(Jul. 10, 1998) PP0877 12 Dec. 1997 A Device and Method (IR16) 6,378,970(Jul. 10, 1998 PP0878 12 Dec. 1997 A Device and Method (IR17) 6,196,739(Jul. 10, 1998) PP0879 12 Dec. 1997 A Device and Method (IR18)09/112,774 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0883 12 Dec. 1997 A Device and Method(IR19) 6,270,182 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0880 12 Dec. 1997 A Device and Method(IR20) 6,152,619 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0881 12 Dec. 1997 A Device and Method(IR21) 09/113,092 (Jul. 10, 1998)DotCard Technologies

Further, the present application may include the utilization of a datadistribution system such as that described in the following Australianprovisional patent specifications incorporated here by cross-reference.The serial numbers of respective corresponding U.S. patent applicationsare also provided for the sake of convenience.

Australian U.S. Pat. No./Patent Provisional Application and NumberFiling Date Title Filing Date PP2370 16 Mar. 1998 Data Processing09/112,781 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (Dot01) PP2371 16 Mar.1998 Data Processing 09/113,052 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus(Dot02)Artcam Technologies

Further, the present application may include the utilization of cameraand data processing techniques such as an Artcam type device asdescribed in the following Australian provisional patent specificationsincorporated here by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respectivecorresponding U.S. patent applications are also provided for the sake ofconvenience.

Australian U.S. Pat. No./Patent Provisional Application and NumberFiling Date Title Filing Date PO7991 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing09/113,060 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (ART01) PO7988 15 Jul.1997 Image Processing 6,476,863 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus(ART02) PO7993 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing 09/113,073 Method and (Jul.10, 1998) Apparatus (ART03) PO9395 23 Sep. 1997 Data Processing6,322,181 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (ART04) PO8017 15 Jul.1997 Image Processing 09/112,747 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus(ART06) PO8014 15 Jul. 1997 Media Device 6,227,648 (ART07) (Jul. 10,1998) PO8025 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing 09/112,750 Method and (Jul.10, 1998) Apparatus (ART08) PO8032 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing09/112,746 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (ART09) PO7999 15 Jul.1997 Image Processing 09/112,743 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus(ART10) PO7998 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing 09/112,742 Method and (Jul.10, 1998) Apparatus (ART11) PO8031 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing09/112,741 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus(ART12) PO8030 15 Jul.1997 Media Device 6,196,541 (ART13) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7997 15 Jul. 1997Media Device 6,195,150 (ART15) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7979 15 Jul. 1997 MediaDevice 6,362,868 (ART16) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8015 15 Jul. 1997 MediaDevice 09/112,738 (ART17) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7978 15 Jul. 1997 MediaDevice 09/113,067 (ART18) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7982 15 Jul. 1997 DataProcessing 6,431,669 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (ART19) PO798915 Jul. 1997 Data Processing 6,362,869 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998)Apparatus (ART20) PO8019 15 Jul. 1997 Media Processing 6,472,052 Methodand (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (ART21) PO7980 15 Jul. 1997 ImageProcessing 6,356,715 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (ART22) PO801815 Jul. 1997 Image Processing 09/112,777 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998)Apparatus (ART24) PO7938 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing 09/113,224 Methodand (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (ART25) PO8016 15 Jul. 1997 ImageProcessing 6,366,693 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (ART26) PO802415 Jul. 1997 Image Processing 6,329,990 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998)Apparatus (ART27) PO7940 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing 09/113,072 Methodand (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (ART28) PO7939 15 Jul. 1997 DataProcessing 09/112,785 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (ART29)PO8501 11 Aug. 1997 Image Processing 6,137,500 Method and (Jul. 10,1998) Apparatus (ART30) PO8500 11 Aug. 1997 Image Processing 09/112,796Method and (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (ART31) PO7987 15 Jul. 1997 DataProcessing 09/113,071 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (ART32)PO8022 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing 6,398,328 Method and (Jul. 10,1998) Apparatus (ART33) PO8497 11 Aug. 1997 Image Processing 09/113,090Method and (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (ART34) PO8020 15 Jul. 1997 DataProcessing 6,431,704 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (ART38) PO802315 Jul. 1997 Data Processing 09/113,222 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998)Apparatus (ART39) PO8504 11 Aug. 1997 Image Processing 09/112,786 Methodand (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (ART42) PO8000 15 Jul. 1997 DataProcessing 6,415,054 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (ART43) PO797715 Jul. 1997 Data Processing 09/112,782 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998)Apparatus (ART44) PO7934 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing 09/113,056 Methodand (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (ART45) PO7990 15 Jul. 1997 DataProcessing 09/113,059 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (ART46)PO8499 11 Aug. 1997 Image Processing 6,486,886 Method and (Jul. 10,1998) Apparatus (ART47) PO8502 11 Aug. 1997 Image Processing 6,381,361Method and (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (ART48) PO7981 15 Jul. 1997 DataProcessing 6,317,192 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (ART50) PO798615 Jul. 1997 Data Processing 09/113,057 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998)Apparatus (ART51) PO7983 15 Jul. 1997 Data Processing 09/113,054 Methodand (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (ART52) PO8026 15 Jul. 1997 ImageProcessing 09/112,752 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (ART53)PO8027 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing 09/112,759 Method and (Jul. 10,1998) Apparatus (ART54) PO8028 15 Jul. 1997 Image Processing 09/112,757Method and (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (ART56) PO9394 23 Sep. 1997 ImageProcessing 6,357,135 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (ART57) PO939623 Sep. 1997 Data Processing 09/113,107 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998)Apparatus (ART58) PO9397 23 Sep. 1997 Data Processing 6,271,931 Methodand (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (ART59) PO9398 23 Sep. 1997 DataProcessing 6,353,772 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (ART60) PO939923 Sep. 1997 Data Processing 6,106,147 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998)Apparatus (ART61) PO9400 23 Sep. 1997 Data Processing 09/112,790 Methodand (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (ART62) PO9401 23 Sep. 1997 DataProcessing 6,304,291 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (ART63) PO940223 Sep. 1997 Data Processing 09/112,788 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998)Apparatus (ART64) PO9403 23 Sep. 1997 Data Processing 6,305,770 Methodand (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (ART65) PO9405 23 Sep. 1997 DataProcessing 6,289,262 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998) Apparatus (ART66) PP095916 Dec. 1997 A Data Processing 6,315,200 Method and (Jul. 10, 1998)Apparatus (ART68) PP1397 19 Jan. 1998 A Media Device 6,217,165 Apparatus(ART69) (Jul. 10, 1998)

1. An inkjet printer comprising: a replaceable cartridge with an orificeplate mounted on a surface surrounding the orifice plate; and a cappingmechanism with a movable cap to seal against the surface surrounding theorifice plate, wherein the capping mechanism comprises: a base structuremounted on the chassis, the base structure being elongate andsubstantially coextensive with the printhead; at least one staticsolenoid mounted on the base structure, the at least one solenoid beingelongate and substantially coextensive with the printhead; a supportmember reciprocally movable, with respect to the chassis, between anoperative position and an inoperative position, said support memberbeing actuated by the at least one solenoid; and a printhead cappingmember mounted directly on the support member and arranged such thatwhen the support member is in the operative position, the cap seals theprinthead and when the support member is in the inoperative position,the cap is disengaged from the printhead.
 2. An inkjet printer accordingto claim 1 wherein the orifice plate defines a nozzle array on apagewidth printhead integrated circuit (IC).
 3. A printer cartridgeaccording to claim 2 wherein the platform is a plastic component and thesurface for sealingly engaging the cap is flat, the plastic componentbeing injection moulded such that the surface has a predeterminedsurface roughness.
 4. A printer cartridge according to claim 3 whereinthe surface has a recess for receiving the printhead IC such that theplastic component stores ink for the printhead IC to eject and suppliesthe ink to a surface of the printhead IC that is opposite the orificeplate.
 5. A printer cartridge according to claim 4 wherein the recess isdimensioned such that the orifice plate is substantially flush with thesurface that sealably engages the cap.
 6. The printer of claim 1,wherein the support member is biased towards the operative position. 7.The printer of claim 1, wherein the solenoid is configured to move thesupport member into its inoperative position when the solenoid isactuated.
 8. The printer of claim 1, wherein the capping member furthercomprises a length of sponge dimensioned to cover the printhead when thesupport member is displaced into its operative position.
 9. The printerof claim 8, wherein a sealing member is positioned on the support memberfor sealing engagement with the sponge.